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Islamic World News ( 7 Aug 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Hindu Mahapanchayat Held Without Permission In Gurugram, Where Mosque Was Attacked And A Deputy Imam Murdered, Calls For Boycott Of Muslims

New Age Islam News Bureau

07 August 20123

A mob vandalised Alwar Hospital in Nuh. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale

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India

• Mob Damages Muslim Shops In Haryana’s Panipat, Issues Threats Against Resuming Their Businesses

• Hindu Plot Owners In Badshapur File FIRs Against Atrocities On Muslim Tenants

• Gyanvapi Case: ASI Survey To Resume On Day 4 Despite Muslim Side's Boycott Threat

• Lack of quality education, career prospects drive Muslim students out of Uttar Pradesh, 16% decline in enrolment since 2019

• Communal violence: Communist Party of India delegation in Haryana flags Muslim boycott call

• Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) launches three drives in Bihar to draw Dalit, Muslim, EBC votes in 2024 Lok Sabha poll

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Pakistan

• Plea Seeking A-Class Jail Facilities For Imran Filed In IHC

• 13 PTI workers booked for resisting Imran’s arrest in Lahore

• Eight PTI supporters arrested as Section 144 extended in Pindi

• Maid torture case: Islamabad court orders arrest of civil judge’s wife

• Agencies won’t have power to arrest, search sans warrants, Senate told

• FIA arrest 'TTP militant' wanted in KP terrorism

• Policeman martyred in Peshawar attack

• PM announces to dissolve National Assembly on August 9

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Southeast Asia

• ‘Something terrible’ might happen, PAS leader claims

• Hardcore poverty will be tackled no matter the cost: Anwar

• Hadi calls on voters to exercise their ‘political power’

• Selangor will lose out if no longer under unity govt after polls: Zahid

• Pakatan-BN alliance will dominate Selangor once again: Zahid

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North America

• Muslim teen charged with murder as hate crime in fatal stabbing of black, gay dancer in NYC.

• On Hiroshima Bombing Anniv., Iran Says US Unfit To Lead Nuclear Disarmament

• Hiroshima mayor slams nuclear deterrence claims as ‘folly’, marking US nuking of city

• Cyberattack disrupts hospital computer systems across US, hindering services

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Europe

• Mosque Visitors View Crashed Car As Part Of Safe Driving Campaign

• Hundreds turnout in Newport for Islamic Society march

• False dawn or real deal: What should Russia expect from Saudi Arabia’s Ukraine ‘peace summit’?

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South Asia

• Afghan Supreme Leader Akhundzada Warns Fighters Against Attacks Abroad

• Security, Public Well-Being Are Basic Obligations of the Islamic Emirate: Deputy PM

• Today’s Jihad Is For Implementation Of Sharia And Development, Says Haqqani

• Over 200 poisoned after eating donated food in Afghanistan’s Khost

• Afghanistan’s Olympic Champion appointed coach of New Zealand’s national team

• 1 killed, 19 injured in traffic accident in Afghanistan’s Zabul

• Afghan travellers complain of harassment by Pakistani police at Torkham Crossing

• Afghanistan 6th Vulnerable Country to Climate Change: NEPA

• Regional Intel Groups Trying to Harm Afghan Ties With Neighbours: Stanekzai

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Mideast

• Venezuelan President Condemns Europe Lack Of Response To Qur'an-Burning

• A rabbinical conference in Muslim Azerbaijan

• Iran building collapse death toll rises to four: media

• Iran opens registration for candidates in next year’s parliament election, the first since protests

• US condemns Israeli settlers’ killing of Palestinian as terrorism

• Israeli strikes near Damascus kill six: monitor

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Arab World

• Reviving Heritage: Noura Al-Jabr’s Mission To Preserve Arab Identity Through Equestrian Sports

• “Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years Of Wonder” Is Returning To Riyadh On Aug. 24

• Saudi ministry scheme gives graduates gateway to career in human resources

• Saudi Arabia expands visitor e-visa program to 8 countries

• Ukrainian ambassador, US official thank Saudi Arabia for hosting peace talks

• Riyadh’s Horse Equestrian Club offers certified training programs

• Saudi crown prince receives written message from Morocco king

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Africa

• Adeleke Fair to Us, Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Chair Replies JOMAF

• Zulum grants N80m to Guwori Islamic Academy

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindu-mahapanchayat-gurugram-imam-muslims/d/130405

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Hindu Mahapanchayat Held Without Permission In Gurugram, Where Mosque Was Attacked And A Deputy Imam Murdered, Calls For Boycott Of Muslims

A mob vandalised Alwar Hospital in Nuh. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale

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New Delhi, 7 August 2023:

Violating prohibitory orders, hundreds of people gathered in Gurugram’s Sector 57 on Sunday at a ‘Hindu Mahapanchayat’ and announced a social and economic boycott of Muslims. This was the area where a mosque was attacked and a deputy imam murdered by a Hindutva mob during communal violence last week.

The event was held in Tigra village, which is close to the Anjuman Masjid.

Those attending the meeting also alleged that people who have been accused of attacking the mosque are “innocent”, Hindustan Times reported, and demanded that there names be dropped from the case within seven days. Otherwise they have threatened a chakka-jam.

Sube Singh Bohra, former Sarpanch of Wazirabad in Sector 57, said, according to Hindustan Times, “We need to see the evidence against the men that have been arrested for the violence. The families are being harassed and targeted by those living near the mosque, but we will not let this happen anymore.”

“There are hundreds of Muslim men working in Gurugram as carpenters, barbers, vegetable vendors, mechanics, and cab drivers, and we have always supported them, but now we will ensure they don’t get any support from anywhere as they are responsible for disrupting peace in the city. Muslims should not be allowed to love or work in the city. We appeal to the people of the city not to rent out apartments or slums to them,” Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, a Bajrang Dal member, said.

DLF Gurugram senior police officer Vikas Kaushik told ANI that the organisers had told the police the event would be peaceful. “For the past two-three days, Gurugram has been peaceful. No incident has been reported. We feel that today’s panchayat will be carried out peacefully. We have had talks with all sides. They have assured us that the panchayat will happen peacefully… The panchayat starts at 9 am. Some 500-1,000 people are expected to come,” Kaushik said.

However, he did not say why police was not intervening despite prohibitory orders being in place.

The Communist Party of India flagged this boycott call on Sunday, referring to a letter that made the same demand written by a panchayat sarpanch on his official letterhead. A four-member delegation from the party also visited affected areas on Sunday.

“This letter on the letterhead of the Jainabad Panchayat Sarpanch Bhavna Yadav, from Block Dahina, District Rewari, Haryana, exposes the bitter reality of organised discrimination against minorities which is being bred systematically under the BJP rule,” CPI said in a statement, according to The Telegraph.

“The content of the letter is shocking. It submits to the local police authorities a decision to not allow Muslims or miscreants to do any business or hawker activity in the panchayat area. It also equalises Muslims to burglars and cattle-thieves,” the statement added.

“The letter says that these steps are being taken to ensure peace in the village, automatically making Muslim presence the sole reason for communal disturbance.”

Source: thewire.in

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https://thewire.in/communalism/hindu-mahapanchayat-held-without-permission-in-gurugram-calls-for-boycott-of-muslims

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Teacher Killed On Blasphemy Allegation In Turbat While Going To Attend A Jirga Of Ulema To Explain His Position On The Matter

Police officers stand guard at a mosque where an enraged mob stoned a man to death last month for allegedly desecrating the Quran, in Tulamba, a remote village in the district of Khanewal in eastern Pakistan [File: Asim Tanveer/AP]

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August 7, 2023

GWADAR: A teacher affiliated with a language centre was shot dead by unknown armed men on an allegation of blasphemy in Turbat town of Kech district.

Police said Abdul Rauf, 22, an English teacher, was targeted near a graveyard in the Malikabad area on Saturday when he, accompanied by some people, was going to attend a Jirga of ulema to explain his position on the matter.

Sources said students of the language centre had lodged complaints with local clerics, accusing Mr Rauf of committing blasphemy during a lecture. The matter also gained traction on social media.

Sudhir Ahmed, the principal, said a group of ulema visited the language centre on Friday and listened to the students and Mr Rauf on the issue. Mr Rauf denied the allegation and insisted he did not commit blasphemy. He tendered an apology for any objectionable words on the issue.

The clerics said they would resolve the issue and asked Mr Rauf to come to the jirga, to be held in a Madarsa, to explain his position.

“I invited Abdul Rauf to the Jirga where over 100 ulema from Turbat were present to resolve the issue amicably, but he was killed by unknown masked men before reaching the madressah,” Mufti Shah Mir said.

He said police were informed about the issue after the murder.

The teacher’s family has not lodged any case with the police. They received the body and took it to their native town, Bal Nagor area, for burial.

No one from the family is available to provide further information. However, police have registered a case against unknown individuals.

“A special police team has been constituted for a thorough investigation into the incident, considering all aspects,” District Police Officer Mohammad Baloch told Dawn on Sunday. He urged people to refrain from spreading hate statements or news on social media. The principal said Mr Rauf was studying at Turbat University and teaching English at the centre in part time.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768725/teacher-killed-on-blasphemy-allegation-in-turbat

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Labelling Political Opponents As ‘Kafir’(infidel) Sparks Worry: Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister

Religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar says any matter in religious affairs, especially in the field of faith and Shariah, should be referred to the state Islamic religious authorities and experts who have certified knowledge in the field. – Bernama pic, August 6, 2023

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06 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR – Do not conveniently label other parties as “Kafir” (infidel) just because they harbour political ideologies different from yours.

This is the call by religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, who warned that such a gesture is not only dangerous, but also against religious principles.

“I call on all parties to be more responsible and not arbitrarily accuse a Muslim of being an infidel just because of differences in political beliefs and the like.

“Any matter in religious affairs, especially in the field of faith and Shariah, should be referred to the state Islamic religious authorities and experts who have certified knowledge in the field,” he said late last night.

His comments were reported by Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.

He said this in commenting on the spread of a viral video which showed the reception towards an Umno election campaigner representing BarisanNasional for the six-state elections on August 12.

The incident is believed to have happened in Kelantan based on the dialect used.

In the video, the BN campaigner involved was not only not welcomed by an elderly woman, but she was also told that her party was confirmed as a kafir by the PAS leadership.

The clip was also shared by Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, an executive councillor in Umno’s women’s wing, who later faced criticism from netizens for allegedly not looking up about the true scenario first.

Some netizens claimed that the elderly woman’s mental condition was no longer perfect because she was in a state of senility, causing her to fail to think sanely.

It was claimed that the neighbouring villagers had clarified about the condition of the elderly woman involved.

PAS told to change members’ perceptions

Meanwhile, Umno secretary-general Datuk AsyrafWajdiDusuki took the PAS leadership to task over the matter and urged the party to rectify such views of its grassroots supporters who are led to believe Umno members to be infidels.

He said that it is important to correct that impression so that there is no conflict between Muslims in the country.

“I call and hope that the PAS leadership can issue a statement to clarify to the members that one does not descend into becoming an infidel or break one’s faith when voting for any party in this election.

He said it is crucial to avoid disputes and arguments that lead to a heretic blame-game and breaking the kinship among Muslims.

He stressed in a statement that the difference between political parties is only in terms of political approach, and should not reflect on differences in their creed and religious beliefs

AsyrafWajdi added that the incident shown in the video gives a deep sense of sadness.

“This is because there are still grassroots members of PAS who are so fanatical about the leadership that had previously planted the ideology that anyone voting for Umno becomes an infidel and goes to hell,” he said.

According to him, every Muslim needs to distinguish between religion and party.

“Islam is a religion, PAS is a political party. It’s a different thing. Not joining PAS, not voting for PAS does not make us heretical. Nor does voting for Umno demote our faith.” – The Vibes, August 6, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97330/labelling-political-opponents-as-kafir-sparks-worry

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams Says It's 'Not True' That Muslims 'Hate' LBGTQ Community

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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August 06, 2023

A Muslim teen has been charged with murder as a hate crime in the fatal stabbing of a black, gay man in New York City last week — and Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference about the arrest that it's "not true" that the Muslims "hate" the LGBTQ community.

What are the details?

The 17-year-old suspect — whose not being identified because of his age — was charged with murder and murder as a hate crime over in connection with the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley at a Mobil Station in Coney Island on July 29, the New York Post reported.

Police said the teen suspect, who is Muslim, made homophobic and racist comments to Sibley, who was 28 and a professional dancer, WCBS-TV reported. The Post said Sibley was "voguing" — a type of dance consisting of "a series of stylized poses struck in imitation of fashion models."

At a news conference Saturday about the arrest, Adams said "the issue itself made an attempt to give the impression that it came from hate from the Muslim community towards the LGBTQ+ community — that was in fact not true."

The mayor added: "These are both important communities in the City of New York. They contribute to the community. Both communities I have worked with on so many occasions, and both are against any level of hate, and both communities have been victimized by Islamophobia, anti-gay and other forms of hates [sic]."

Adams also said, "Our message today, to both the Muslim community and the LGBT+ community, as well as all others. This is a city where you are free to express yourself and that expression should never end with any form of violence."

Muslim activist Sonia Ali also spoke at the news conference and said she and other Muslim activists were there with Adams to help others understand “this is not something that Islam teaches," the Post noted.

“You don’t take a life, because there’s no reason for you to be doing something like that,” Ali said, according to the paper. “This is a free country, you shouldn’t be going and taking [a life]; it’s tragic.”

Source: theblaze.com

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https://www.theblaze.com/news/muslim-teen-charged-with-murder-as-hate-crime-in-fatal-stabbing-of-black-gay-dancer-in-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-says-its-not-true-that-muslims-hate-lbgtq-community

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Blackburn Mosque Extension Approved With Empty House Becoming Women-Only Prayer Space

The scheme includes a two-storey rear extension

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7 AUG 2023

Proposals to turn a vacant terraced house next to a mosque in a Victorian town centre conservation area into a women-only Muslim prayer space have been approved.

Blackburn with Darwen Council granted planning permission for the scheme after it was scaled back. Darwen Madina Masjid applied for planning permission for the conversion of 25 Victoria Street from a vacant two storey-terraced home to a Place of Worship in January. It caters for around 20 worshippers.

Following concerns expressed by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning officers this was withdrawn and a new smaller proposal submitted in May. A report by planning officer Martin Kenny recommending approval says: “The proposal relates to an existing mid-terraced property located within the Darwen Town Centre boundary and the Darwen Town Centre conservation area.

“The site is adjoined at numbers 21 to 23 by a mosque (Darwen Madina Masjid) and number 27 by a residential dwelling. The locality contains a mix of residential and commercial uses.

“Darwen Madina Masjid is noted as an established place of worship, affording several service offerings such as a madrassah, marriage, funerals, and community engagement projects. Planning approval is sought for the change of use of number 25 to mosque, which would operate as an extension to the existing mosque use at numbers 21 to 23.

“The submission indicates that number 25 will operate as a ladies’ facility supplementing the existing prayer hall. The amended proposal also includes the addition of a single storey extension to the rear of the existing two storey outrigger. It is noted that a mosque activity has operated from numbers 21 to 23 for decades.

“There are no earlier records of noise or disturbance from the use affecting surrounding residents. Further, no objections have been received to the current application. The proposed rear extension has been amended to address concerns relating to loss of light and the relationship with the ground floor lounge window of number 27.

“The proposal now can be considered to pose no undue concerns. The submitted details indicate a ladies prayer facility will adjoin the party boundary with number 27. To address potential noise impacts a condition requiring a sound proofing scheme is necessary.”

Source: lancs.live

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https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackburn-mosque-extension-approved-empty-27468049

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India

Mob Damages Muslim Shops In Haryana’s Panipat, Issues Threats Against Resuming Their Businesses

07 AUG 2023

The attackers have left shops of Muslims damaged in Haryana’s Panipat, while issuing threat to them.

The attackers has entered Krishna Garden, a market housing people from both Hindu and Muslim communities, and threatened Muslims and vandalised their shops, reported The Hindu.

The report said around 25-30 men, with their faces covered and holding swords and knives entered the market.

The report quoting a police official said “armed men vandalised properties at three locations under the Chandni Bagh police station limits on Sunday and threatened the owners to vacate them. So far, the police have rounded up 15 people and their role is being ascertained.”

The report also said the police is trying to understand their modus operandi and find out who is behind this mob and providing them with arms.

“Many more will be rounded up based on CCTV footage and the videos shot by residents,” the report quoted the police official as having said.

“The mob moved around the area and vandalised properties at Krishna Garden, Ujha Gate, and Indo Farm Road and threatened Muslim traders to leave the area. A few traders suffered minor injuries,” the report quoted the above police officer as having said.

The Haryana police have registered three FIRs at the Chandni Bagh police station under Sections 148, 149, 324, 427, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, it mentioned.

The report also said many meat shops were vandalised and food was thrown into the streets.

“Most shops that were vandalised, will now take some time to get back to business, amidst fear of hate and attack. Many meat shops were vandalised and the food was thrown on the streets of the area,” the report said.

The report also said the mob even forced Muslim men to chant religious slogans like ‘Jai Sri Ram.’

The report also said: “mob also took away the butcher’s knives, asking them to not conduct their business in the area anymore and threatening to come back.”

Source: outlookindia.com

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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/mob-damages-muslim-shops-in-haryana-s-panipat-issues-threats-against-resuming-their-businesses-news-308658

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Hindu Plot Owners In BadshapurFile FIRs Against Atrocities On Muslim Tenants

Aug 7, 2023

Sreya Chatterjee

By Sreya Chatterjee: Tensions escalated in the Nuh district of Haryana after alleged stone pelting during the VHP and Bajrang Dal’s BrajMadal Yatra on July 31. In the aftermath of the upheaval, Gurugram'sBadshahpur locality saw a Spillover effect, with mobs allegedly targeting Muslim-owned establishments. At least seven FIRs have been filed in Badshahpur alone, detailing the turmoil that escalated an already volatile situation.

Several Muslim shop-owners in the area were forced to abandon their businesses and flee the area for safety. The FIRs accessed by India Today mention 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans being raised as violent mobs ransacked Muslim-owned properties.

The use of religious chants further deepened the communal undertones, escalating what was already a grave issue. One of the FIRs also details how those who tried to record the incident were heckled by the mob and given death threats.

Out of the seven FIRS, only one has been filed based on the statement by a victim. Out of the remaining six, two were filed by Hindu plot owners who had given their property for rent to Muslims, and three have been filed based on the testimony of police officers on duty during the incidents. This dynamic underscore the intricate interplay between different segments of society.

Speaking to India today, Govind, the victim who gave the testimony for one of the FIRs, said, “I had rented out the shop to one Usman who is a resident of Meerut. They ran a food stall here and, in total, 6 men were staying there. Usman has returned to his native village. We are in touch, and I have assured him that he should come back, as the police are also acting and have promised us that nothing untoward will happen again.”

Sandeep Yadav, a plot owner, based on whose testimony another FIR has been filed, said, “I don’t know why people are doing such a thing. How you practice your religion is your choice, I won’t comment on the slogans raised during the vandalism. But I think no one should suffer financially. I need them and they need us, we must work together.”

DETAILS OF THE FIRS

Incident 1: Based on the testimony of Sub Inspector Balraj, an FIR was filed against unknown people under sections 147, 148, 149, 295-A, 341, 427, and 436 of the IPC. The FIR details that on 1st August, at 23:41 pm, the SI on duty was alerted that on Tikli Road, Sabji Mandi around 15-20 people had put a scrap shop on fire. After further investigating the matter, it was revealed that a group comprising 25-30 people, armed with sticks, reached there around 10:15 pm. This group chanted 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans and disrupted public life, fanning communal tension.

Incident 2: Based on the testimony of plot owner, Govind, an FIR was filed against Sonu, Ghugle, Angad, Surjan, Pappu and three unknown people. Govind had a few shops in the Gova colony in Badshapur, out of which he had rented one to Muslims. Around 4 pm on August 1, the alleged people targeted the said shop, and also heckled those who tried to make videos. They threatened that if anyone records a video, they will be taught a lesson. As per the FIR, the group also gave death threats to those trying to record videos. The FIR filed in this case is under sections 147, 148, 149, 295-A, 506, and 427 of the IPC.

Incident 3: Based on the testimony of plot owner, Sandeep Yadav, an FIR was filed against unknown people under sections 147, 149, 295-A, 436, and 506 of the IPC. The said person has a plot on Tikli road near Nurpur, which he had rented out to people from the Muslim community for a scrap shop. At 10:55 on August 1, the plot owner got information that 10-15 people had set the scrap shop and a tempo standing nearby on fire. They also chanted Jai Shri Ram slogans, and said that Muslims should be thrown away, and whichever Muslims are seen will be thrown away.

Incident 4: Based on Assistant Sub-Inspector Anil’s testimony, an FIR was filed against unknown people under sections 147, 148, 295A, 427, and 436 of the IPC. According to ASI Anil, a scrap shop located in Tulip Chowk in front of D Mart company, was put on fire by a mob of 10-15 people. The group had allegedly targeted the shop owner for his religion. According to the local people who witnessed the incident, the group was seen chanting Jai Sri Ram slogans while putting the shop on fire.

Incident 5: Based on the testimony of Head Constable Sudip Singh, an FIR was filed against unknown people under sections, 147, 148, 295A, 427, and 436 of the IPC. On the afternoon of August 1, around 150-200 people had gathered on Sohna road near Badshapur Bazaar. The group targeted Muslim establishments in the bazaar and set fire to a meat shop named ‘Abdul Majid Meat shop’ near SBI bank. The group was also allegedly shooting videos while carrying on the vandalism, and some people were heard raising 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans.

Incident 6: Based on the testimony of Nisar Ali, a resident of West Bengal’s Malda, an FIR was filed against unknown people under sections, 147, 149, 323, 295A, 506, and 188 of the IPC. According to Nisar, on the night of July 31, around 25-30 people gathered and put a slum on fire. They were also asked to leave within a day or if they did not wish to get killed. According to Nisar, they emptied the shop and around 7 pm the next day, he and his brother Rustom Ali were coming towards their slum from GPL society, where they were stopped midway in a cricket ground, where 4-5 people enquired about their names and started beating them. Soon, 25-30 people gathered and attacked them and threatened. “You Muslim people go away from here,” they said.

Incident 7: Based on the testimony of Head Constable Jitendra, an FIR was filed under Section 147, 148, 149, 153-A, 380, 427, 188, and 120B of the IPC. According to the police officer, around 100-150 people created a ruckus in Badshapur, chanting Jai Sri Ram slogans, at around 2 pm. The group was targeting Muslim people. They also targeted a cotton shop where they stole coolers and other things. They allegedly took the stolen things in a CNG auto.

Source: indiatoday.in

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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/badshahpur-firs-show-hindu-plot-owners-supporting-muslim-tenants-against-atrocities-2417189-2023-08-07

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Gyanvapi Case: ASI Survey To Resume On Day 4 Despite Muslim Side's Boycott Threat

August 7, 2023

The scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi will continue on Monday morning, led by a team of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) officials. There might be a slight delay today due to it being the fifth Monday of the 'Sawan' month, as mentioned by Sudhir Tripathi, an advocate representing the Hindu side, to news agency ANI. Tripathi also stated that the survey work is progressing, and the Anjuman Intezamia Committee, responsible for the mosque, is cooperating with the survey.

On Saturday, five members from the Muslim side participated in the survey after having stayed away on Friday. The survey team, accompanied by government counsel Rajesh Mishra, worked from morning until 5 pm, with a break for lunch from 1 pm to 3 pm.

According to ASI officials, the survey will resume again at 8 am on Sunday. During the survey, the team examined the central hall of the mosque, where Namaz is offered, as well as some basement areas in the complex. Advocate Tauheed Khan, representing the Muslim side, mentioned that two lawyers from the Intezamia Masjid Committee accompanied the survey team. Sudhir Tripathi, the lawyer for the Hindu side, claimed that fragments of idols, not complete idols, have been found in the debris, and he expressed hope that complete idols might also be recovered. He acknowledged the cooperation of the Intezamia Masjid Committee, which provided the keys that they had previously withheld. Late on Friday night, the joint secretary of the Intezamia Masjid Committee, Muhammad Yasin, released a letter stating that they would cooperate with the survey work, in compliance with the Supreme Court's order. He emphasized the importance of upholding religious rights while ensuring that the mosque is not damaged.

The ASI is receiving assistance in the survey work from a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K). The IIT-K team, led by Professor Javed N Malik from the Earth Sciences department, is currently in Varanasi to support the survey. The Supreme Court, on Friday, rejected the stay on the Allahabad High Court's order regarding the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. The Muslim side expressed concerns that the survey might reopen painful historical wounds.

Source: oneindia.com

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https://www.oneindia.com/india/gyanvapi-case-asi-survey-to-resume-on-day-4-despite-muslim-sides-boycott-threat-3603371.html

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Lack of quality education, career prospects drive Muslim students out of Uttar Pradesh, 16% decline in enrollment since 2019

Sugandha Jha

August 7, 2023

Lack of quality education, facilities in higher education, and better career prospects are among the driving factors which have influenced the choice of several Muslim students in Uttar Pradesh who have left their homes to pursue higher education in other distant states. UP witnessed a staggering decline of 16% in the enrollment of Muslim students at the higher education level, to about 2.99 lakh in 2020-21 from 3.57 lakh in 2019-20, according to the AISHE 2020-21 report.

In a written reply in the lower House of the Parliament, Lok Sabha, Minister of State (MoS) for Education, Subhas Sarkar, said that the government has taken several initiatives to encourage minority students through scholarships or fellowships schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to increase their rate of attainment in higher education and enhance their employability.

However, many Muslim students from Uttar Pradesh feel that the state does not have ample opportunities for a secure future. “I decided to come to Delhi in 2021 to pursue MBA since my district did not have any reputed university or college in the field. Most students in my area migrate to other cities for the same reason,” Suhail Sheikh (23), a final year MBA student in Jamia Hamdard, said.

Another student from UP’s Bijnor district, currently pursuing Politics Science at Delhi University, said that his parents wanted him to move out of the state for higher education in the lack of better opportunities. “The decision was not based on state politics and religious differences,” he added. Several families in the area prefer their children to be employed after schooling.

In the case of female Muslim students in Uttar Pradesh, the journey has been even more difficult when compared to males. “Women in our community are not encouraged to pursue higher education in our area due to societal and family pressure. Most girls drop out after completing basic education till 12th grade,” a female student on the condition of anonymity said. “Safety of women is a major concern among parents in the state behind sending their daughters to other states for higher studies,” another female student added.

As per Census 2011, Muslims in Uttar Pradesh constitute nearly 20% of the total population. The decline in enrollment of Muslim students in higher education has raised several questions about the quality of education and opportunities available in the state.

Source: financialexpress.com

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https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/lack-of-quality-education-career-prospects-drive-muslim-students-out-of-uttar-pradesh-16-decline-in-enrollment-since-2019/3201537/

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Communal violence: Communist Party of India delegation in Haryana flags Muslim boycott call

07.08.23

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Sunday flagged a letter written in what resembles the official letterhead of a panchayat sarpanch in Haryana asking authorities not to allow “Muslims or miscreants to do any business or hawking activity in the panchayat area”.

A CPI delegation that included two MPs said the letter “exposes the bitter reality of organised discrimination against minorities under BJP rule”.

The party said the letter and many other such polarising attempts by “the RSS-BJP ecosystem” came to light during the visit of the party’s four-member delegation to the violence-hit areas of Haryana on Sunday.

The letter furnished by the delegation is signed by “Bhavna” above the designation “panchayat sarpanch, Jainabad, Rewari district”.

When The Telegraph called Bhavna Yadav, the sarpanch of Jainabad, a person who identified himself as her father-in-law Rajvir Singh answered the phone.

Asked about the letter, he said: “The letter has been written in the wake of the communal violence in Nuh district.”

He said the decision was taken to ensure peace in the area and would be in force for only a few months, considering the volatile situation in Nuh district. He added that Muslims were responsible for the violence there.

“We wrote to the authorities informing them of the decision so that no untoward incident takes place,” Rajvir said, adding that his village does not have a single Muslim family.

Sources in the Haryana police said similar letters attributed to sarpanchs of over 15 villages in Haryana’s Mahendragarh had beensent to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) over the past few days saying the decisions were taken following the “violence and atrocitieson our Hindu brothers in Nuh”.

A closer examination of these letters written in Hindi revealed that all of them have similar content, suggesting an organised campaign against Muslims aimed at their economic boycott.

Rajvir Singh, who introduced himself as the sarpanch’s father-in-law, also said similar letters from several sarpanchs in Haryana had been sent to the administration.

The CPI statement said: “This letter on the letterhead of the Jainabad Panchayat Sarpanch Bhavna Yadav, from Block Dahina, District Rewari, Haryana, exposes the bitter reality of organised discrimination against minorities which is being bred systematically under the BJP rule.”

The CPI statement added: “The content of the letter is shocking. It submits to the local police authorities a decision to not allow Muslims or miscreants to do any business or hawker activity in the panchayat area. It also equalises Muslims to burglars and cattle-thieves.

“The letter says that these steps are being taken to ensure peace in the village, automatically making Muslim presence the sole reason for communal disturbance.”

The letter attributed to the sarpanch said this decision was being taken for social security and to maintain peace.

The CPI delegation was made up of MP Binoy Viswam, AITUC General Secretary Amarjit Kaur, MP P. Sandosh Kumar and CPI Haryana secretary Dariyao Singh Kashyap.

Six people, including a young cleric and two home guards, were killed in the violence which broke out after members of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad took out a procession from Nalhar temple in Nuh town around 1.30pm on Monday, shouting abusive slogans against Muslims, police sources said. The procession was stopped by a group of young men and soon after, stone-pelting started from both sides.

The CPI statement said the delegation’s visit to violence-hit areas of Haryana and interaction with different sections revealed an alarming level of polarisation and hatred in the region. “Deliberate attempts are being made to fuel strife in the region,” it said.

“The growth of hatred and divisions in the entire region is systematic and artificial seeds of strife are being sown among both the communities. The CPI delegation met all sections of society, till they were stopped by the police at the Nuh border,” the party said.

Haryana police stopped the four-member delegation from entering some violence-affected villages near Nuh district, citing prohibitory orders.

The members of the CPI delegation appealed for peace, compassion and harmony to prevail in the region to all they met. They also demanded a thorough probe into the chain of events leading to the riots and strict punishment for the perpetrators.

“Victims of violence and arson should be given generous compensation and government must ensure restoration of normalcy and bridging of divisions in the region,” the party said.

Demolition drive

The demolition drive in Nuh district of Haryana continued for the fourth day on Sunday as the authorities razed several “illegal” structures, including a hotel-cum-restaurant from where stones were allegedly pelted on the religious procession during the violence.

On Saturday, over 100 houses, shops and other make-shift structures were bulldozed, amid accusations from the minority community that they were being targeted in a bid to appease the Hindutva groups that were responsible for the communal conflagration. The authorities on Thursday had demolished around 250 shanties belonging to “illegal” immigrants from Bangladesh in the minority-dominated Nuh.

A small-time Muslim trader in Nuh whose shop was demolished said the “bulldozer justice” by the BJP-ruled state governments was nothing but state-sponsored cruelty on the minorities and destruction of their properties.

“First, members of Hindutva groups set ablaze several homes and shanties and three mosques in Nuh during the violence. Instead of taking action against them, the BJP government in Haryana is now busy bulldozing our homes and shops. How could every structure become illegal only after the violence? Where will we go now?” he told The Telegraph.

He asked why such bulldozer justice was limited to the minorities. “It has been six months since two youths from the area, Nasir and Junaid, were burnt alive by cow vigilantes but the main accused Monu Manesar who has been charged with the murders is still free. Why have they not demolished his home so far?

Monu Manesar heads the cow vigilante wing of the Bajrang Dal in Haryana.

According to Haryana police, Monu has been at large since February this year. But he keeps posting videos on his Facebook profile and he also appeared on a TV channel three days ago to claim that he had nothing to do with Monday’s violence.

Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the influential Jamiat-Ulema-i-Hind, said in a statement that the report submitted by a representative delegation of the outfit that visited Nuh and surrounding areas to analyse the riot-affected areas was heart-wrenching.

“It has come out as crystal clear that the riot was planned…. In this, the role of police and administration has been suspicious, of which several videos have gone viral,” he said.

A former Intelligence Bureau director had told this newspaper that the violence in Nuh “clearly points to some short of complicity on the part of administration and police” as he questioned the rationale behind giving permission to Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad to take out the procession despite enough indications that it will turn into a major law-and-order issue.

A video clip uploaded by fact-checker Mohammed Zubair on last Thursday showed a man opening fire from what has been described as the Nalhar Shiv Temple in Haryana on Monday and police personnel looking on. The clip is said to have been recorded on Monday when communal violence broke out in Nuh district.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) launches three drives in Bihar to draw Dalit, Muslim, EBC votes in 2024 Lok Sabha poll

The separate campaigns are aimed at garnering support from three key social groups: ‘Bhaichara Yatra’ (Muslims), ‘KarpooriCharcha’ (Extremely Backward Classes), and ‘Bheem Samvad’ (Dalits)

August 07, 2023

AMIT BHELARI

In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the ruling Janata Dal (United) in Bihar has launched three separate campaigns aimed at garnering support from three key social groups: ‘Bhaichara Yatra’ (Muslims), ‘KarpooriCharcha’ (Extremely Backward Classes), and ‘Bheem Samvad’ (Dalits).

In the 2019 general election, the JD(U) in alliance with the BJP-led NDA had won 39 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the State. After parting ways with the BJP last year, the JD(U) needs the backing of the EBCs, which account for 30% of the State’s population, Dalits (16%), and Muslims (16%) to put up a good show in the 2024 poll. Party chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will be monitoring all three campaigns.

The JD(U) kick-started the ‘Bhaichara Yatra’ from Narkatiyaganj in West Champaran district on August 1. Party MLC Khalid Anwar is leading the yatra, which will be held in three phases and end in September. Four Lok Sabha and 24 Assembly seats are concentrated in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region, comprising Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, and Katihar districts.

‘Message of peace’

“This yatra will spread the message of brotherhood and peace in society. Bihar needs it the most now because the BJP is engaged in spreading hatred,” said Jama Khan, the lone Muslim Minister from the JD(U) in the mahagathbandhan government, who is taking part in the yatra.

‘KarpooriCharcha’, named after former Bihar Chief Minister and EBC leader Karpoori Thakur, was launched on August 6 and will go on till January 24, 2024. The series of discussions at the block level is aimed at reaching out to the EBC vote bank, which has kept Mr. Kumar in power.

‘Bheem Samvad’, named after Father of the Constitution Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, will be launched on August 15, with JD(U) leaders at the panchayat level visiting the homes of Dalits. The drive will end on August 31, 2023.

“Through these campaigns, the party leaders will spread the word on the work done by the government under the leadership of Mr. Nitish Kumar. He is making efforts to unite the Opposition parties and we want him to project himself as a leader at the national level,” JD(U) State president Umesh Kushwaha told The Hindu.

According to Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a political expert based in Patna, the decision to begin these campaigns ahead of the Lok Sabha poll is a “masterstroke”. “If Dalits, EBCs, and Muslims vote in Mr. Kumar’s favour, then he will emerge the winner,” he said.

Last-ditch attempt: BJP

However, Opposition parties have criticised the strategy. “Since when did the JD(U) start taking out such yatras? They are just fooling helpless Muslims. When they were in an alliance with the BJP, they had supported the NRC. Muslims in Seemanchal are facing poverty. Nitish Kumar is misleading the public,” AIMIM legislator Akhtarul Iman said.

The BJP described the JD(U) as “a sinking ship” and termed the new campaigns “last-ditch attempts at survival”. “Nitish Kumar had signed the death warrant for the JD(U) by aligning with the RJD. He is surviving on the new lease of political life given by [RJD chief] Lalu Prasad. The JD(U) is nearing its end. Any effort to save itself will prove futile,” BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna said.

Source: thehindu.com

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Pakistan

Plea seeking A-Class jail facilities for Imran filed in IHC

August 7, 2023

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday seeking A-Class jail facilities for the PTI chief, who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail in a graft case.

On Aug 5, an Islamabad trial court had declared Imran guilty of “corrupt practices” in a case pertaining to concealing details of state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. Soon after the verdict, he was arrested by the Punjab police from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

The ex-premier was given B-Class facilities by the Punjab prisons department. However, his lawyers and the party claimed on Sunday they were not allowed by the jail administration to meet the PTI chairman.

The legal team said they wanted to get in touch with Imran to provide him with clothes, food and other necessary items, and also get his signatures. The jail authorities did not allow a meeting with the PTI chairman and asked the lawyers to come back on Monday to get power of attorney.

“We told them that we need to get the power of attorney as well as other documents signed by Imran in order to move various applications and challenge different [court] orders,” one of the lawyers said.

PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan told Dawn that the legal team was not allowed to meet Imran as the jail administration “straight away refused to allow a meeting”.

On Monday, Advocate Panjotha, spokesman to Imran on legal affairs, reached the IHC where he filed a petition which urged the IHC to declare Imran’s detention in Attock Jail “illegal” and for the ex-premier to be shifted to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The petition further requested for “better class/A-Class” jail facilities to be provided to the PTI chief under Rule 243 (classifying authority) of the Pakistan Prison Rules (PPR) read with Rule 248 (classification of under-trial prisoners) of the same.

Advocate Panjotha also requested that Imran be allowed to regularly meet with his legal team, family members, personal doctor Dr Faisal Sultan and political aides — the lists for which were also submitted to the court.

The petition has made the state, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal and superintendents of the Central Jail Adiala and the district jail in Attock the respondents in the case.

It states that “it is yet to be ascertained” under which law the PTI chief has been detained at Attock Jail when the arrest warrant issued by the trial court intended for him to be kept at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The plea said that the former premier had been “confined in a 9x11 feet cell with an annexed dirty bathroom”. It further said that the room was a “dirty cell which has traditionally been reserved for terrorists”.

It said that the “respondents have been treating [Imran] like a criminal and have lodged him in a small and squeezed barrack” due to “malafide reasons and under the pressure of the political regime”.

Citing the PPR, the plea argued that Imran was “entitled to A-Class facilities” considering his “social and political status, his education and his being accustomed to a better living style”.

Noting that Imran had been denied access to his legal team, doctor, family members and political aides, the petition said that Dr Sultan’s access to Imran was required as he was aware of the PTI chief’s “entire medical history”, including the injuries caused by a fall in 2013 and last year’s Wazirabad attack.

Speaking outside the IHC, Advocate Panjotha said he received the jail superintendent’s call last night, who told him to come at 12pm today to get the power of attorney signed by Imran.

The lawyer said he objected to the timing, arguing that the delay caused by jail authorities in getting the signature would also delay the challenging of the Toshakhana verdict. However, the jail official was insistent on 12pm as “Imran would wake up at 12pm,” Panjotha added.

In a video statement shared on the PTI’s official social media account, the lawyer also alleged that Imran had been provided “C-Class jail facilities” in Attock Jail.

Recalling his conversation with the jail superintendent, he said he asked to get the power of attorney signed at 8am or 9am but was denied the request.

The lawyer reiterated that he would file a writ petition in the IHC today against the Toshakhana verdict as soon as the required documents were signed by Imran.

Lamenting that his client was not given a “fair trial”, Advocate Panjotha expressed the hope that the sentence of three years would be suspended once the verdict is challenged. He further noted that Imran’s lawyers, including him, had not met the PTI chief since he was arrested on Saturday.

Source: dawn.com

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13 PTI workers booked for resisting Imran’s arrest in Lahore

August 7, 2023

LAHORE: The Racecourse police lodged a case against 13 PTI workers, including an aide to the party chairman Imran Khan, for offering resistance during the arrest of their party chief at Zaman Park on Saturday.

The police nominated Awais Khan Niazi, Ali Zia, Junaid Khan Niazi, Tabassum Iqbal, Mehmood Qadri, Ilyas, Zaman, Muhammad Iqbal, Islam Badshah, Awais Khan, Behram, Sajjad Ali etc in the case. Of them, Awais Khan Niazi is a close aide to Imran and runs the party chief media cell.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Inspector Rehan Anwar who alleged that when police reached the Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan to arrest him in the wake of the court’s decision on Saturday, the suspects mentioned above attacked the policemen.

It said Awais Khan Niazi and Ali Zia hurled threats at police, attacked and snatched the official guns from the policemen. They later pointed weapons at the police and threatened to kill them, the complainant said, adding that some police officers told the suspects that they were following the court orders for the arrest of Imran.

However, the suspects kept threatening the police, Inspector Rehan alleged in the FIR, saying that the police later overpowered and arrested them. The suspects were sent behind the bars after lodging the case against them.

Source: dawn.com

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Eight PTI supporters arrested as Section 144 extended in Pindi

August 7, 2023

RAWALPINDI: As many as eight supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) were arrested while 20 others were booked in KotliSattian and Patriata on Saturday on the charge of blocking roads and staging protest against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

In another development, the Rawalpindi district administration extended Section 144 for another week.

ASI Mohammad Latif lodged an FIR with KotliSattian police, saying that some 15 PTI supporters appeared on Kashmir Road, raised slogans and blocked it to the general public.

He said some of the enraged protesters started collecting stones on seeing the police, but they were overpowered and put behind the bars. However, some managed to escape.

In a similar incident in Patriata, protesters raised anti-government slogans and demanded the release of Imran Khan. Four PTI supporters were detained by the police while five managed to escape.

However, no such protest was reported in Rawalpindi city as police continents patrolled the roads on Saturday.

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner extended Section 144 in the district till August 12 to avoid law and order situation similar to May 9.

A notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema stated that on the information of District Intelligence Committee and the local police, there was an imminent threat within the limits of Rawalpindi district of a potential law and order situation entailing likely damage to human life and property.

Under this section, all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, processions, demonstrations and similar activities are banned and carrying of weapons, spikes, batons, ball bearings, petrol bombs, improvised explosives or any other instrument that could potentially be used for violence was also not allowed.

Attempt to remove any restriction imposed by a police officer to regulate assembly of persons or movement of traffic will not be tolerated. Moreover, use of loudspeaker without permission of lawful authority except for Azan is not permitted. There is also a ban on pillion riding within the limits of Rawalpindi district.

This order shall not apply to the armed forces and police personnel in uniform and on duty. Exemption is allowed for females and children under the age of 12 years as well as media personnel in possession of valid photo identity besides CNIC.

Attock

The Attock district administration also imposed Section 144 to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters from gathering outside the Attock district jail and hold demonstrations.

The area around the jail has been declared a red zone as all roads leading to it have been fenced with barbed wires.

According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza, “all types of sit-ins, rallies, processions and demonstrations have been banned under Section 144 till August 12 in Attock district”.

On the other hand, a five-member medical team of the Punjab health department examined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan at the Attock district jail on Sunday, sources said.

They said the team headed by District Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jawad Elahi examined the detained PTI chief who had been placed in Barrack No. 2/1 of the C class in the high security prison. Different medical tests were also performed on him. According to Dr Jawad Elahi, the PTI chairman was medically fit.

Sources said the federal government had ordered provision of necessary facilities to Imran Khan keeping in view his position as the former prime minister.

Source: dawn.com

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Agencies won’t have power to arrest, search sans warrants, Senate told

August 7, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Days after it faced fierce opposition by government and opposition lawmakers, the bill to amend the Official Secrets Act, 1923 was passed by the Senate on Sunday, albeit with few changes to the original amendments.

The most significant amendment, made by a Senate committee, prior to its approval by the House was the removal of a clause giving intelligence agencies the power to arrest suspects or search without warrants.

Another amendment has been made to clause 5 of the bill, which earlier stated: “[A] person may be presumed to have been in communication with enemy or a foreign agent if he has, either within or without Pakistan visited the address of a foreign agent or consorted or associated with enemy or a foreign agent…”

After the amendments, the word ‘knowingly’ has been added to this clause which will now read “…if he has either within or without Pakistan ‘knowingly’ visited the address…”, according to Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, who moved the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

He emphasised the revised bill empowered the Federal Investigation Agency to conduct investigations into individuals suspected of violating the Official Secrets Act.

The ‘amended’ bill failed to placate the lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who continued to raise questions over the wide-ranging powers being given to the intelligence agencies.

“The spirit of the bill remains intact despite superficial amendments. Entire Pakistan will turn into a cantonment if the bill is passed as it is,” Senator Mushtaq Ahmad of Jamaat-i-Islami warned.

He said the extraordinary powers of intelligence agencies will affect human rights, political liberties and media freedom. “It would be nothing short of a legal martial law.”

The lawmakers of JUI-F and PPP — both of whom are part of the ruling coalition — censured the government for moving the legislation in haste.

Senator Kamran Murtaza of JUI-F said if the legislation was so essential, the government should have realised it 15 months ago.

PPP’s RukhsanaZuberi added that action must be taken against investigation agencies and officials if they filed dubious cases under this law.

Recriminations over census

At the outset of the proceedings, Mr Murtaza rejected the census approved one day ago by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) — a body with all four chief ministers and federal ministers as its members.

Calling the number “flawed,” he claimed Balochistan’s population had been reduced by 6.4 million.

“What message are we sending to the people of the province,” he asked and criticised the government for approving the results.

He questioned how the caretaker chief ministers of two provinces — Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — represent their respective provinces at the CCI meeting.

Later, he staged a walk-out from the House with other senators.

Hinting at the possibility of delayed general elections after the approval of the new census, PPP’s Raza Rabbani warned any such move would be disastrous for the federation.

On a point of public importance, he said after the census’ approval by the CCI, there were speculations that elections will be delayed by at least 6 to 7 months. “If elections go beyond the 60 or 90 days constitutional timeline, then it would be a violation of the Constitution.”

Voicing support for the concerns raised by Senator Murtaza, Mr Rabbani said he did not want to go into how the CCI meeting took place and how approval was given to the census but unfortunately, it was being felt that the elections would be delayed.

“The ECP should now break the silence and immediately come forward to explain how much time it needs for delimitation. They must try their utmost to do the needful within 90 days so that polls are conducted on time.”

Addressing the lawmakers’ concerns on the census, Mr Tarrar, the law minister, clarified that JUI-F’s Maulana Asad Mahmood was present in the CCI meeting. “The census team [from PBS] had given a briefing for two hours, after which the decision to approve the census was taken unanimously.”

He said the highest rate of population growth — 3.20 per cent — was recorded in Balochistan and the province’s population has increased to 15 million.

Mr Tarar said the government has left the decision of delimitation to the ECP.

He agreed with Mr Rabbani that the ECP should state what would be their future course of action keeping in view articles 51 and 224 of the Constitution.

While Article 51 outlines the seat distribution in the National Assembly, Article 224 gives the timeline of elections from the day assemblies were dissolved.

“All parties in the allied government have resolved to hold the elections as early as possible,” the law minister emphasised.

Separately, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the leader of the house in the Senate, said the Balochistan chief minister was also present in the CCI meeting.

The census details were sent to the provinces, he explained, adding the enumeration process was carried out in light of extensive data.

Earlier, PTI’s Saifullah Abro strongly protested over the arrest of his party chairman, Imran Khan. He indirectly blamed PPP and PML-N for “trampling the Constitution, the law and democratic norms”.

He urged the JUI-F senator to realistically review the data and said the CCI approved the census after all chief ministers were satisfied. He clarified that the previous PTI government had decided that the 2023 polls would be held based on the fresh census.

Source: dawn.com

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FIA arrest 'TTP militant' wanted in KP terrorism

August 07, 2023

KARACHI: A terrorist wanted for terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was Monday arrested at the Karachi Airport after the Immigration Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) foiled his plan to flee abroad, the agency told Geo News.

According to the FIA Immigration Cell spokesperson, the accused, named Ehsan-ul-Haq, was trying to escape abroad. The sources said he was a terrorist "associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)".

KP home department, the spokesperson added, had fixed head money worth Rs1 million to apprehend the terrorist, who hails from the province's Swabi district.

The FIA spokesperson said the terrorist will be handed over to the concerned authorities.

This is a major breakthrough for law enforcement agencies. The KP province, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a slew of terror incidents in recent months after the outlawed TTP ended its ceasefire with Islamabad, with other terrorist groups also increasing attacks.

Earlier this month, a statistical report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said July marked a significant upsurge in attacks, making it the second deadliest month of 2023, with 124 fatalities and 218 injuries.

The country, as per the report, witnessed 54 militant attacks.

The victims whose lives were lost included 77 civilians and 37 security forces personnel, while 181 civilians and 36 security forces personnel sustained injuries.

Comparing the data with June, the PICSS report revealed an alarming increase in terrorist activities. Meanwhile, the report also analysed the regional impact of terrorism with the tribal districts of KP province experiencing the highest number of militant attacks in July, with 83 people killed and 181 injured in 18 reported incidents.

Mainland KP, however, saw a slight decline in attacks and casualties, with eight deaths and 11 injuries reported in 15 incidents, compared to nine deaths and 17 injuries in June 2023's 17 incidents.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Policeman martyred in Peshawar attack

August 07, 2023

PESHAWAR: A policeman was martyred and two others suffered injuries when a police mobile was attacked in the Badaber area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Peshawar.

The KP province, which borders Afghanistan, has seen a slew of terror incidents in recent months after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Islamabad, with other terrorist groups also increasing attacks.

Constable Yar Muhammad suffered critical injuries along with two other policemen when unidentified armed men attacked their van. Muhammad succumbed to his wounds during treatment.

No group has taken responsibility for the attack.

Geo News, on July 21, reported at least four terror attacks in KP in just 48 hours, including one in the capital city of Peshawar, resulting in the martyrdom of law enforcers and injuries to others.

A week later, law enforcers were attacked at a checkpost after an assailant fired shots and threw a hand grenade at them.

While the police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel responded with counteraction, the attacker managed to flee. There were, fortunately, no casualties reported in the terror attack.

With terrorism rearing its ugly head yet again in the country, July witnessed a significant upsurge in attacks, making it the second deadliest month of 2023, with 124 fatalities and 218 injuries.

The previous month also recorded the highest number of suicide attacks in any single month of the current year, with five such attacks resulting in the tragic death of 69 people and injuries to 175 others.

The majority of these casualties occurred during a suicide blast at a JUI-F election rally in the Bajaur district of KP.

In light of the rising militancy, Pakistan's government has warned Afghanistan against providing safe havens to the banned TTP — a terrorist organisation targeting security forces.

The top brass of the Pakistan Army has recently said that sanctuaries and liberty of action available to terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in Afghanistan is one of the major reasons impacting the security of Pakistan.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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PM announces to dissolve National Assembly on August 9

August 06, 2023

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday publicly announced that the National Assembly would be dissolved on August 9, just three days before the lower house of parliament completes its five-year constitutional term.

The premier made the announcement while addressing a mass public rally in Kasur, a city in south Punjab, after laying the foundation stone for the TarayGarh interchange on the Lahore-Bahawalnagar motorway and Rai Mansab Ali Khan interchange on Abdul Hakim motorway on the Bucheki-Nankana road.

Quoting credible sources, reports started circulating on August 3 over various print and electronic media that PM Shehbaz had told his coalition partners that the summary to dissolve the NA would be moved on August 9.

The assurance was given by the premier during the farewell dinner he hosted for his coalition partners during which the political situation of the country and general elections came under discussion.

The current assembly’s tenure will end on August 12 and if it completes its stipulated time then elections will be held within 60 days. However, the Constitution states that the polls must be held within 90 days if the assembly is dissolved before the completion of its tenure.

If the summary is moved to dissolve the lower house on August 9 that it would be liable to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold polls within 90 days.

However, before the assembly dissolution, the government and the opposition need to agree on a name for a caretaker prime minister.

'Nawaz Sharif will be the next prime minister'

Addressing the public rally, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif would be the next prime minister of Pakistan.

He claimed that the three-time premier — who has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons — would change the destiny of the country by initiating projects in the sectors of agriculture, industry and infrastructure.

“Nawaz Sharif will serve the people of Pakistan as prime minister for another term if voted to power. He considers the whole of Pakistan as his family and in the past selflessly served the people,” the premier added.

Rs263 billion, he said, would be spent on the construction of the motorway from Lahore to Bahawalnagar and on other projects.

PM Shehbaz recalled that in the past, Pakistan suffered from load shedding of 20 hours every day and then the PML-N supremo came in 2013 and he removed the darkness caused by power shortages by setting up power projects, revived industry and agriculture and brought the CPEC project of $ 30 billion with the collaboration of China.

He said their government provided laptops worth billions of rupees to millions of students, adding he was unfairly criticised for delivering laptops to youth who were now using modern tools of communication and earning livelihoods.

Premier Shehbaz said the PML-N supremo had initiated the project of the DiamerBhasha and Dasu dams and made Pakistan a nuclear state by conducting six nuclear explosions in response to five explosions by India.

PML-N supremo had rejected '$5 billion offer'

He reminded that Nawaz had rejected the offer of $5 billion by then-US president Bill Clinton and went on with the nuclear explosions while ignoring pressure. He also said that the PML-N supreme leader also started Zarb-e-Azab led by the Pakistan Army to eradicate terrorism and the jawans of armed forces and people from all sections of society rendered sacrifices against terrorism.

Lashing out at the previous PTI-led government, Premier Shehbaz said that terrorists were again allowed to re-enter Pakistan and they took many innocent lives in terrorist acts.

In the era of Nawaz, the PM said Pakistan had good relations with friendly and brotherly countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Qatar and others.

“Then, Imran Niazi was imposed on the country after the rigged election in 2018,” the PM said, adding that his regime caused severe damage to relations with these countries including Islamic countries and he resorted to baseless allegations of corruption against companies of China.

Ties with China were broken by the former government despite the fact that the neighbouring country massively invested in infrastructure, power and road projects, the premier pointed out.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1097805-pm-shehbaz-announces-to-dissolve-national-assembly-on-august-9

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Southeast Asia

‘Something terrible’ might happen, PAS leader claims

07 Aug 2023

PETALING JAYA – PerikatanNasional (PN) election director Datuk Seri Muhammad SanusiMd Nor did not appear as scheduled at a mega ceramah event in Sg Petani last night.

According to PAS’ Alor Star MP AfnanHamimiTaibAzamudden, the cancellation was a directive issued by PAS central leadership who convened a meeting on Sunday (yesterday) morning.

With thousands in attendance, AfnanHamimi said the directive was issued due to “security factors” as the “enemies have laid a trap”.

He claimed that the “trap” was to lure the caretaker Kedah menteribesar after which something unexpected would happen.

“...for now we need to be prepared for any possibilities, I’ve already said this before, in the next one or two days, there is a possibility of something terrible happening,” he told the ceramah attendees.

Sanusi was said to have been in Kuala Lumpur to attend the meeting and was advised against attending last night’s ceramah. – The Vibes, August 7, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97368/something-terrible-might-happen-pas-leader-claims

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Hardcore poverty will be tackled no matter the cost: Anwar

07 Aug 2023

PETALING JAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated the unity government’s commitment to end hardcore poverty this year, even if additional funds are required for the purpose.

Anwar said all government ministries and agencies as well as cabinet members would work hard to realise the goal.

“Do you think that I, as prime minister, can sleep soundly and think that those people (the poor) are neglected? Never, my friends – (if) RM100 million is not enough, RM200 million, I don’t care. I will find (the funds), that’s my promise,” he said.

Anwar, who is also PakatanHarapan chairman, was speaking at the Ceramah Mega Perdana programme in UkayPerdana, Selangor here, tonight which was attended by more than 3,000 people.

Also present were Communications and Digital Minister FahmiFadzil, as well as the PH-BN candidates for the Bukit Antarabangsa and Lembah Jaya state seats – KamriKamaruddin and Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, when speaking at the Madani Unity Tour programme in Taman Permata, Hulu Klang tonight, Anwar said even if the opposition condemned or belittled the government’s efforts, it wouldn’t stop him and the cabinet line-up to finding solutions to the people’s problems.

“Call me (whatever you want), insult me – even if you call me ‘stupid’, I don’t care. I will continue to do my best for the people and the country...I’m sure we can (do it).”

“That’s why I said, I don’t want to merely build landmarks and have Malaysia be known only for great landmarks. The first thing I want to be solved is the people’s problems, the issue of hardcore poverty,” he said.

Anwar also invited the people in the area to make a wise decision by choosing the PH candidate from the unity government, JuwairiyaZukifli, over former Bukit Antarabangsa MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, saying that the people should use their power at the polls to punish leaders who betrayed them in search of posts.

The state elections in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Terengganu are being held simultaneously with polling day set on August 12, while early voting is on August 8. – Bernama, August 7, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97367/hardcore-poverty-will-be-tackled-no-matter-the-cost-anwar

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Hadi calls on voters to exercise their ‘political power’

07 Aug 2023

SEREMBAN – PAS has called on all voters to come out in full force on polling day, assuring them of a change in federal leadership of PerikatanNasional wins in all six states.

Party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said he was concerned after learning that there were a number of voters who were reluctant to go out and vote on August 12.

“It has come to my knowledge that many, especially the Malays, are considering not to vote. Based on data from past elections, the voter turnout among other races was about 90%.

“However, the turnout among Malay voters would usually be about 70%,” he said at a ceramah here, last night.

He reminded the Malays that voting was a form of “political power” and one should not waste it.

“It is important for Muslims and non-Muslims who are not extreme to support PN and make a change.

“One must realise that although PakatanHarapan and BarisanNasional form the federal government, they are always at odds with each other,” he said. – The Vibes, August 7, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97365/hadi-calls-on-voters-to-exercise-their-political-power

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Selangor will lose out if no longer under unity govt after polls: Zahid

07 Aug 2023

KUALA SELANGOR – Selangor, arguably the country’s economic powerhouse that contributed 25.5% of last year’s gross domestic product, stands to lose out if it does not remain under the unity government’s administration after state elections take place on August 12.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Selangor has developed into a state that has helped changed many Malaysians’ lives with high-paying jobs thanks to the huge amount of foreign investment.

“So it will be a waste if Selangor can’t be retained as a state under the unity government that practises the Malaysia Madani concept,” he said during his speech at a thanksgiving prayer session in conjunction with the National Month here last night.

He also said, in his capacity as BarisanNasional (BN) chairman, that the united strength of the combined parties in the unity government in Selangor can be seen through the openness of the PakatanHarapan (PH) leadership in allowing BN to contest more seats in this state election.

“Before the state assembly was dissolved, BN had only five seats, but thanks to PH’s kindheartedness, we are contesting 12 seats, which proves the sincerity of their friendship with us,” he said.

Prior to the state assembly dissolution, PH held 40 seats (PKR-19, DAP-15, Amanah-six), BN (five), Bersatu (four), PartiBangsa Malaysia (two) while PAS, Pejuang and Warisan had one seat each. The one other seat was held by an independent assemblyman.

The last state seat of Batang Kali, was declared vacant after its assemblyman was absent from the state assembly for over six months. – Bernama, August 7, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97363/selangor-will-lose-out-if-no-longer-under-unity-govt-after-polls-zahid

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Pakatan-BN alliance will dominate Selangor once again: Zahid

06 Aug 2023

KUALA SELANGOR – BarisanNasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is optimistic that the PakatanHarapan (PH) and BN alliance will be able to achieve a convincing victory in the Selangor election on August 12.

In GE14, PH dominated Selangor when it won 51 out of 56 seats, followed by BN’s four and PAS’ one.

“I expect we will not only defend the existing seats, but with the help of BN candidates, obtain more seats than previously,” he said after accompanying PH’s candidate for the Ijok seat, Amidi Abdul Manan, during a walkabout at the PekanIjok night market near here today.

He also expressed confidence that the Ijok seat – which sees a three-cornered contest between Amidi, JefriMejan of PerikatanNasional, and independent Tan Cat Keong – will remain in PH's hands.

“We need to work to ensure that the community does not fall for slander or unreasonable issues raised. The important thing is that political stability will allow Selangor to continue to prosper as a high-tech industrial state,” he said.

Prior to the dissolution of the Selangor assembly, PH held 40 seats – PKR 19, DAP 15, Amanah six, BN five, Bersatu four, and PartiBangsa Malaysia two – while PAS, Pejuang, and Warisan had one each, along with one independent.

The Batang Kali seat was declared vacant after its representative failed to attend state assembly sittings for more than six months. – Bernama, August 6, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97358/pakatan-bn-alliance-will-dominate-selangor-once-again-zahid

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North America

Muslim teen charged with murder as hate crime in fatal stabbing of black, gay dancer in NYC. Mayor Eric Adams says it's 'not true' that Muslims 'hate' LBGTQ community.

August 06, 2023

What are the details?

Source: theblaze.com

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https://www.theblaze.com/news/muslim-teen-charged-with-murder-as-hate-crime-in-fatal-stabbing-of-black-gay-dancer-in-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-says-its-not-true-that-muslims-hate-lbgtq-community

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On Hiroshima Bombing Anniv., Iran Says US Unfit To Lead Nuclear Disarmament

06 August 2023

Tehran has lashed out at the US as the only country using nuclear weapons and massacring hundreds of thousands in Japan as well as being the key supporter of the nuke-armed Israeli regime while still purporting to advocate global nuclear disarmament.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani seriously questioned American competence for leading calls for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in a post on X -- formerly Twitter -- on Sunday, marking the 78th Anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima that killed nearly 140,000 people.

The US has "a dark history of using nukes as a WMD & aiding an illegitimate regime with the largest nuclear arsenal,” he wrote. “Is it fit to be the flag bearer of a nuclear weapons ban!?"

Kan'ani also rejected Washington's claims about Iran’s nuclear activities as "a deliberate repetition of a big lie.”

On August 6, 1945, the US dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing thousands instantly and about 140,000 by the end of the year. Three days later, it dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000.

The key US ally, the Israeli regime occupying Palestine, is also estimated to possess 200 to 400 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, making it the sole possessor of non-conventional arms in West Asia.

In recent years, Washington has been persistently attempting to fuel fears about Iran’s nuclear program, whose peaceful nature has been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/06/708443/Iran-US-nuclear-disarmament-Japan-Hiroshima-bombing

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Hiroshima mayor slams nuclear deterrence claims as ‘folly’, marking US nuking of city

06 August 2023

Hiroshima mayor has slammed the nuclear deterrence claims of world's Western powers as "folly" while Japan marks the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing on the city that massacred nearly 140,000 people and has never apologized for the major crime.

Japan on Sunday marked the 78th anniversary of the US deadly atomic bombing on Hiroshima, where the city mayor called the Group of Seven leaders’ idea of nuclear deterrence a “folly.”

“Leaders around the world must confront the reality that nuclear threats now being voiced by certain policymakers reveal the folly of nuclear deterrence theory,” Mayor Kazumi Matsui said, referring to the Group of Seven leaders' idea of justifying such theories.

“They must immediately take concrete steps to lead us from the dangerous present toward our ideal world,” he added.

On August 6, 1945, during World War II (1939-45), an American bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima killing around 140,000 people. Three days later, a second bomber dropped another a-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 74,000 people.

There has never been an official apology from Washington for its nuclear bombing of the two Japanese cities. The US has rather been careful not to apologize while only expressing sorrow over the colossal destruction it caused.

The US continues to boastfully justify the bombings and the ensuing carnage, contending that they were necessary to end the war and “save lives,” although many historians question that view and insist they were unjustified.

In May, when US President Joe Biden was set to visit Hiroshima for the Group of Seven summit, the White House clearly said he will not offer an apology for the United States’ use of nuclear weapons against Japan.

While Biden was scheduled to visit the Hiroshima Memorial Museum with the other six G7 leaders and participate in a wreath-laying and tree-planting ceremony with his counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, some Japanese politicians called for the US to offer an official apology for the atomic bombing of the country.

But like the first US president to visit the memorial site, Barack Obama did not apologize for the use of nuclear weapons when he visited in 2016, the White House said Biden will not do so either.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/06/708436/Hiroshima-mayor-slams-nuclear-deterrence-claims-as-%E2%80%98folly%E2%80%99-,-marking-a-bomb-anniv-

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Cyberattack disrupts hospital computer systems across US, hindering services

05 August 2023

A health care provider in the United States has come under a cyber attack, disrupting its computers and causing chaos in medical facilities in several states across the country.

The ransomware attack happened at California-based Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. on Thursday, which manages hospitals and clinics in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.

"Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. recently experienced a data security incident that has disrupted our operations," the company said in a statement, adding, "Upon learning of this, we took our systems offline to protect them and launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists.”

“While our investigation continues, we are focused on addressing the pressing needs of our patients as we work diligently to return to normal operations as quickly as possible," it noted.

Thursday’s data security incident forced the hospitals’ emergency rooms in several states to close and patients were diverted to other nearby medical centers.

Elective surgeries, outpatient appointments, blood drives and other services were suspended and ambulances were also redirected.

Many primary care services remained closed on Friday as security experts worked to determine the extent of the problem and resolve it.

Over the past months, a massive hacking campaign has been carried out across the United States, affecting major universities and government institutions. The hackers are exerting pressure on federal officials who have vowed to put an end to the scourge of ransomware attacks that have disrupted schools, hospitals and local governments across the States.

Back in June, several Federal Government agencies in the United States, including the Department of Energy, were targeted in a global campaign of cyberattacks exploiting a vulnerability in the widely used software MOVEit Transfer.

Hackers have been exploiting a flaw in MOVEit that companies and agencies use to transfer data since late May. Progress Software, the US-based developer of the software, says it discovered a new vulnerability in the software that “could be exploited by a bad actor.”

MOVEit Transfer is a popular tool used by organizations to share sensitive information with partners or customers.

Source: presstv.ir

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/05/708373/US-cyber-attack-hospitals-clinics-computer-systems-disrupted-

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Europe

Mosque visitors view crashed car as part of safe driving campaign

Visitors to a mosque got the chance to see for themselves how dangerous driving can change lives for ever.

Teams from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service visited the Madina Mosque on Oak Street in Blackburn to speak to worshippers and young people.

A vehicle which was involved in a major crash was on display in the car park.

Later in the evening, a special talk was held by the fire service crews who spoke to madrassa children.

A Madina mosque spokesperson said: “The aim was to engage them in discussions on what they can do to ensure themselves and the community are safe in their homes, streets and when travelling in vehicles.

“It was a fantastic and engaging talk which the children were very grateful for, to the fire service team.”

The ‘Alive to Drive’ campaign aims to educate the public on driving and riding safely on Lancashire’s roads.

The campaign also sees emergency service display a car which had suffered catastrophic damage during a fatal incident.

Source: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

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https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23704204.mosque-visitors-view-crashed-car-part-safe-driving-campaign/

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Hundreds turnout in Newport for Islamic Society march

MEMBERS of a Newport mosque community marched for peace in the city centre today (Sunday).

The annual Ashura march commemorates Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of Muhammad who was martyred, with his family, 14 centuries ago.

This year marked the 41st year of the march in the city, where mourners, dressed in black marched and sang as they walked from their mosque through the streets.

Mubarak Ali is the secretary of the Islamic Society for Wales, which organised the Newport march.

"Today is the commemoration of the prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Husayn, and 72 of his family on the sands of Karbala, Iraq," he said.

"It was a fight against the tyrant Yazid, it was good against evil. [Husayn] refused to be ruled by a king who followed evil ways, and thousands of Yazid's army slaughtered and murdered him, innocent women, children, and other companions.

"Imam Husayn, through his sacrifice for Islam and everyone, his name lives on around the world, and we commemorate him and love him."

Newport's Muslim community has played a proud role in observing Ashura in the UK.

Hundreds of Muslims joined the solemn parade in the city centre, with several carrying flags and banners, and many participants beating their chests rhythmically.

Several attendees were handing out leaflets to other members of the public, with information about the history of Ashura.

Watch the video below of the amazing singing during the march

The march continued along Commercial Street and Charles Street before the participants returned to the mosque.

Mr Ali thanked volunteers and security staff for their support during the march.

Source: southwalesargus.co.uk

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https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23704644.hundreds-turnout-newport-islamic-society-march/

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False dawn or real deal: What should Russia expect from Saudi Arabia’s Ukraine ‘peace summit’?

5 Aug, 2023

Brussels, Washington and Kiev are stepping up efforts to consolidate international support for a Ukrainian plan for hypothetical peace talks with Russia. Last Sunday it was announced that a major international meeting of around 30 states will be held in Jeddah this weekend, 5-6 August, to discuss the process.

In addition to countries such as Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile and Zambia, the largest states of the 'global South' – India and Brazil – are expected to attend.

The fact that this is the second such meeting on a Ukrainian settlement (the first meeting in a similar format was held in Copenhagen at the end of June) shows that there isn’t unconditional support for the Ukrainian plan in the international community, and Kiev will have to compromise. On the other hand, Russia was not invited. This means that a common international position could be formed without Moscow’s participation, and it could find itself confronted with the consequences.

Russian experts speculate on what this could mean.

Ivan Timofeev, Programme Director of the Valdai Club and Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council:

I am skeptical about this Saudi initiative, because any peace plan discussed without Russia is unlikely to be accepted by Russia. It seems that this is an attempt by the West to create a situation in which non-Western countries do not speak from a position of neutrality and impartiality, but instead directly, or indirectly, aligned with the West’s position.

If we look at the situation from the point of view of non-Western states, it could be a means for them to diversify their foreign policy status. They can show that they are playing from both Western and non-Western platforms, and that they still have room for maneuver.

The Ukrainian crisis was caused not only by Russian-Ukrainian relations and contradictions, but also by security contradictions between Moscow and the collective West. And without resolving these contradictions, it is very difficult to expect a sustainable solution.

But there are also a number of problems in Ukraine itself that are perceived critically in Russia. In particular, one of these now is the rights of Christians and the attempt to split the Orthodox Church, which is gaining momentum and is accompanied by the seizure of church property and the persecution of believers, and so on. Just last week the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepared a rather detailed report on this.

The problems associated with the Ukrainian crisis are not limited to the peaceful resolution of the conflict itself. It is a broader picture of relations between Russia and the West, the human rights situation in Ukraine itself and, in particular, the problems that Moscow is drawing attention to.

Dr Aleksey Gromyko, Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

I assume that the format of the negotiations in Saudi Arabia did not envisage Russia's participation or, accordingly, an invitation for Moscow.

The point is twofold: to work on consolidating the global South's peacemaking efforts in relation to the Ukrainian crisis and, secondly, to work specifically with Ukraine and its sponsors. In principle, it is clear that Kiev, not Moscow, is fundamental to any ceasefire and eventual settlement.

Everyone knows that it was the Ukrainians who withdrew from the [peace] negotiations in April 2022, not the Russians. And since then, Russia has repeatedly signaled its openness to pragmatic negotiations, while Kiev has fantasized about the return of all its former territories, including Crimea.

If this work bears fruit, Russia could probably get involved later. But a condition for Saudi Arabia's chances of success in this endeavor is 'quiet diplomacy' and complete confidentiality.

If it turns out that Kiev and the West are just using it for another political show, then there will be no benefit.

Political expert Andrey Dubnov:

The goal of the conference is not to formulate "agreements acceptable to all parties." Russia has not been invited to this event, and this makes sense, because otherwise the meeting would have been doomed to failure. It is obvious that Moscow's position has been articulated; the last time it was expressed was at the Russia-Africa summit.

Moscow's main position is essentially an arrangement that can be called a ceasefire, based on Russia's retention of the Ukrainian territories now organized as four Russian regions. It is difficult to imagine that Moscow is prepared to abandon this as its main negotiating position.

On the other hand, Kiev's stance on peace is articulated as being possible only if Russia withdraws its troops to the 1991 borders. With such positions of the parties, a general meeting would be pointless.

What is the purpose of the summit in Saudi Arabia? Since this initiative comes mainly from Kiev and is backed by the US, it is now about consolidating the whole wider world – not just the West, but the big South, including the BRICS member countries (India, Brazil and South Africa). It is an attempt to find a consolidated expression of support for the Ukrainian peace plan. Within this "formula of support" there are some limits regarding the flexibility of Kiev's negotiating position: under what conditions it is ready to give up its categorical demand to return to the 1991 borders and to compromise with Russia? Clarifying this kind of flexibility may be one of the ulterior goals of this conference.

But practice shows that such diplomatic conferences look first and foremost like big, big PR. Diplomacy needs silence and confidentiality. The Saudi initiative does not yet provide for this silence and confidentiality, so it is still more of a political meeting than a search for a diplomatic solution to the problem.

President Vladimir Zelensky's peace plan will be at the center of the Saudi initiative. Within this framework, an attempt will be made to somehow find acceptable windows in which Kiev, I repeat, will be prepared to make further compromises with Moscow. But at the end of the day, everything will depend on the outcome of the military operations on the ground, which are being actively pursued.

No peace plan for Ukraine can become a reality without China's participation. The meeting in Saudi Arabia could be a precursor to a financial and economic assistance plan to rebuild Ukraine. This is how the plan to help Afghanistan began at the Bonn conference many years ago.

Andrey Suzdaltsev, Political expert, Associate Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics of the Higher School of Economics:

The Saudi initiative is the second attempt at such negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. The first took place in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, in early summer. It did not go well, as the organizers were unable to attract high-level representatives, particularly from the BRICS countries; the talks were attended by deputy foreign ministers and others.

Now they want a conference with higher-level representation, especially among the Indian representatives. That is why they chose Saudi Arabia, which has strong cooperation with New Delhi. They are using the existing experience of these big countries.

All this is happening because it has now been discovered that there are several factions of power on the planet and that the world is multipolar. The unipolar world that existed before was somewhat incomplete, but it still existed. Now, however, it has begun to fall apart.

A vivid example of this is the events of 2008, the Ossetian-Georgian war, where the West intervened when it was too late. French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived, the situation was stopped, and Russia was not even seriously sanctioned.

In 2014, when Crimea returned to Russia, the West could do nothing about it and showed that the unipolar world was beginning to fail. The system started to collapse.

When the system of international relations collapses, it manifests itself in three aspects. The first aspect is the loss of various contacts, traditions of contacts, and traditions of discussions at the expert and diplomatic levels. This can be seen not only in relations between Russia and the West, but also those between China and the US with regard to Taiwan, and in the fraught relations of most African countries with the US and Western Europe. Contacts and relations built up over decades have begun to disintegrate.

The second aspect is that international organizations are becoming dysfunctional, losing respect, and being ignored. In the 1950s and 1960s, United Nations decisions were viewed almost as law in a bipolar world. However, when the world became unipolar, the largest international organizations became unnecessary as Washington made all the decisions.

The third aspect is that international law is canceled. Many agreements lose their force, though not all.

These three aspects show that the world system is changing. The US and the European Union want to stop this process. The Russian military operation in Ukraine was the turning point. The unipolar world has to make the other poles of global power – including China and India – support the West and stand firmly on the Western positions and on the side of Ukraine. There is no equality in this. The proposed negotiations are a conversation in the format of the traditional unipolar world, which can only offer coalitions, and of the feudal vassal type.

This conference is being held to force Africa and India to side with the West against Russia.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/580871-false-dawn-or-real-deal/

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South Asia

Afghan supreme leader Akhundzada warns fighters against attacks abroad

August 7, 2023

KABUL: Afghanistan’s supreme leader has warned Taliban members against carrying out attacks abroad, the defence minister said, days after Islamabad hinted at involvement of “Afghan citizens” in suicide attacks inside Pakistan.

Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said in a speech to members of Afghanistan’s security forces, broadcast by state television on Saturday, that fighting outside Afghanistan is not religiously sanctioned jihad but rather war, which had been barred by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

“If anyone goes outside of Afghanistan for the goal of jihad, it won’t be called jihad,” Mr Akhundzada said, according to Mr Mujahid.

“If the emir prevents the Mujahideen from going to battle and they still do it, this is war, not jihad.”

The remarks come after Islamabad said militants behind a spate of suicide attacks in Pakistan were being helped by “Afghan citizens” across the border, days after a deadly bombing claimed by the militant Islamic State group near the shared frontier. Scores of people were killed and dozens others injured in a suicide attack during a convention of the government-allied Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl party in Bajaur district.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stopped short of accusing Afghanistan’s Taliban government of knowingly allowing attacks from its soil, but he did reportedly say militants were operating from “sanctuaries” in the neighbouring country.

Since the Taliban surged back to power in Afghanistan two years ago, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in militant attacks focused on its western border regions, claimed by both the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and IS. The TTP has waged a bloody campaign of bombings and other attacks across Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities insist they do not allow the country’s soil to be used by armed groups plotting against other nations.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1768766/afghan-supreme-leader-akhundzada-warns-fighters-against-attacks-abroad

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Security, Public Well-Being Are Basic Obligations of the Islamic Emirate: Deputy PM

2023-08-06

KABUL (BNA): Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs in a meeting with Mufti Sheikh Habibullah Samangani and InamullahSamangani, said that providing security, education, health, transportation, and enhancing public livelihood are the basic obligations of the government.

According to a statement, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs met with Sheikh Habibullah Samangani and InamullahSamangani, two local representatives from Samangan province.

Habibullah Samangani talked about the social, security, and economic state of the people of Samangan province, describing the province’s current situation as sound and stable, thanks to the efforts of the security forces of the Islamic Emirate

He also mentioned some concerns and challenges that still exist in fields such as transportation, education, and health, and called government authorities to take steps to address them.

Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mawlave Abdul Salam Hanafi, for his part, stated that providing security, enhancing public well-being, education, health, and transportation are basic human rights and are among the key responsibilities of the Islamic Emirate.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Today’s Jihad Is For Implementation Of Sharia And Development, Says Haqqani

August 7, 2023

Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has said that the Islamic Emirate fought for the freedom of the homeland in the past, but now it is fighting for the implementation of Sharia and the development of the country.

Haqqani stated in a meeting with officials, scholars and tribal elders in Laghman: “In the past, we were doing Jihad for the sake of Allah to liberate the homeland. Today, we do Jihad for the implementation of Sharia, the strengthening and survival of the system and the development of the country. We stand firm.”

The Acting Minister of Interior also asked the forces of the Islamic Emirate to be gentle, treat people well and refrain from arbitrary actions.

“Today is the time of compassion and governance. Our zeal lies in humility and good behavior,” Haqqani said.

He emphasized that those who did not join the 20-year struggle of the Islamic Emirate are also “our brothers”.

“We appreciate them. We use cadres. We provide them with the opportunity to serve,” Haqqani said.

Source: ariananews.af

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Over 200 poisoned after eating donated food in Afghanistan’s Khost

August 7, 2023

over 200 people were poisoned and hospitalized after eating donated food in east Afghanistan’s Khost province, according to officials on Monday.

The incident occurred in Zazai Maidan, Ban Sabari and Khost City after the people attended a donated meal.

The poisoned victims had been taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, according to provincial spokesperson MustaghfarGarbaz.

According to officials, some poisoned victims, including women and children, are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the security officials said they have launched an investigation to find the reasons for the incident.

Recently, more civilians have been poisoned in ceremonies, particularly school students in some country provinces.

Nearly 150 people were poisoned earlier after eating at a wedding party in the Sang Atesh district of Badghis province.

Source: khaama.com

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Afghanistan’s Olympic Champion appointed coach of New Zealand’s national team

August 6, 2023

RohullahNekpa, a former member of Afghanistan’s national taekwondo team and a two-time Olympic medalist, has been appointed as the head coach of the New Zealand national taekwondo team.

Since he previously served as the head coach of Afghanistan’s youth national taekwondo team, Nekpa brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. Surprisingly, Nekpa is the only athlete from Afghanistan to have won two Olympic medals in the adult category.

Nekpa’s accomplishments include two bronze medals in 2008 and 2014, as well as a silver medal from the Asian Taekwondo Championship in 2012, in addition to his Olympic successes in 2008 and 2012. His accomplishments include a 2011 World Championships bronze medal.

“I am genuinely honoured to have been appointed New Zealand taekwondo national team coach by the New Zealand taekwondo federation. I am committed to giving my skills and knowledge to lead our team to new heights of excellence and, all together, to make history for New Zealand taekwondo. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am truly excited to embark on this journey with you all,” Nekpa said on his social media account.

Meanwhile, This Monday, Taekwondo New Zealand (TNZ) announced that it has “secured the services of double Olympic Taekwondo medalistRohullahNikpai, appointing him as the TNZ National High-Performance Team Coach.”

Nikpai assumes leadership immediately and will collaborate with the group to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Source: khaama.com

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1 killed, 19 injured in traffic accident in Afghanistan’s Zabul

August 6, 2023

The incident occurred around 6:00 am in the Shahr-e-Safa district of Zabul, the southern province of Afghanistan.

According to provincial police spokesperson Zabihullah Jawhar, the person who died was the bus driver, and those injured included women and children.

Meanwhile, the injured people were taken to the Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar province.

Three people died, and five others were injured in a traffic accident in the Samangan province.

The incident took place after the vehicle turned turtle on the Samangan-Baghlan highway.

The current upsurge in traffic incidents is directly linked to reckless driving, poorly maintained vehicles, not paying attention to traffic rules and dilapidated roads in the countries.

Source: khaama.com

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Afghan travellers complain of harassment by Pakistani police at Torkham Crossing

August 6, 2023

Several Afghan travellers and medical patients at the Torkham crossing reported being harassed by Pakistani police, local media outlet reported on Friday.

The Afghan travellers also said that the Pakistani police had repeatedly sought money from them on various grounds, Tolo News reported.

Therefore, this border crossing has become a source of hardship and frustration for several ordinary travellers and medical patients seeking treatment in Pakistan.

These people said that Pakistani police often harass and extort them despite their presentation of legitimate legal documents, harassing both men, women and children.

The travellers added that patients and passengers have been coping with this problem for years, and Pakistan has not adequately addressed it.

Several people have spoken out about this issue and provided their personal experiences. A patient named Shir Ali, seeking medical treatment in Pakistan, said he was harassed and forced to pay to cross the border.

Zabihullah, another traveller, brought out a questionable tactic employed by border agents: pretending the scanner is malfunctioning even when it is completely operational as a pretext to demand money. He said that people who were prepared to pay a sum of a thousand may pass without difficulty.

The people asked the de facto authorities to solve this problem immediately. Meanwhile, the Torkham Commission officials said they have spoken with Pakistani officials about this issue, but their commitments still need to be fulfilled.

On the other hand, most Afghan refugees complain about the mistreatment of the Pakistani police with Afghan refugees and patients who seek medical treatment or stay in Pakistan.

The Pakistani government has previously been advised to treat Afghan citizens respectfully by the UN Refugee Agency and the Pakistan Human Rights Commission.

According to official data, 12 patients on average from Afghanistan have travelled to Pakistan during the past three months for medical care.

Source: khaama.com

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Afghanistan 6th Vulnerable Country to Climate Change: NEPA

Speaking at a press conference, the deputy head of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), Zainul Abideen Abid, said that Afghanistan itself played a role in 0.8% of climate change, but is the sixth vulnerable country due to climate change.

Referring to the conflicts over the past several decades, he also said the use of "weapons and chemical materials” during the recent war harmed the climate and plant life in Afghanistan.

“Afghanistan has played a role in 0.8% of climate change,” he said.

Aziz Rahman, acting head of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), said that 32 projects in the field of climate change have been suspended. He said that the agency also prevented smuggling of 400 types of animals.

He expressed concerns about the effect of climate changes on Afghanistan.

“Afghanistan is one of the countries which has been affected by climate change but we have a very little part in climate change,” he said.

“The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) has prevented smuggling of 493 birds and wild animals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abid said that more than 14,000 facilities have been examined and provided with air filters. He said that restrictions have been placed on cutting down trees and hunting nationwide.

“We have been able to monitor Afghanistan's jungle and protect our jungles,” Abid said.

To solve the problems of sewage, the officials of NEPA said a comprehensive plan has been formed in coordination with the relevant ministries.

Source: tolonews.com

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Regional Intel Groups Trying to Harm Afghan Ties With Neighbors: Stanekzai

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the intelligence of some regional countries are attempting to destroy the relations between Afghanistan and its neighbors.

However, he didn’t name the countries.

“Some of the intelligence circles try to defame the Afghans because thousands of Afghans exist there and some of them are detained in their prisons. Sometimes the intelligence are trying to defame our country, they kill the detainees and throw them somewhere and then say they were killed in the war,” he said.

Stanekzai told TOLOnews that the interim Afghan government seeks good relations with the international community and that the Afghan soil will not be used against any other country.

“We have committed to the whole world that the Afghan soil will not be used to threaten the security of others,” he said.

Political analysts believe that improving relations between the Afghan interim government and the world will benefit the two sides.

“It is important for the Islamic Emirate to find good paths for political engagement with the international community to solve these controversies,” said Ahmadullah Andar, political analyst.

This comes as the chargés d'affaires of Afghanistan’s embassy in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, met with the head of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad said on Twitter that in the meeting both sides discussed removing mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, strengthening friendly bilateral relations, as well as other issues.

Source: tolonews.com

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Mideast

Venezuelan President Condemns Europe Lack Of Response To Qur'an-Burning

Aug 7, 2023

TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned Sunday the lack of response from European leaders and a number of media to Qur'an-burning incidents in Sweden and Denmark.

"I feel, deep within my heart, the discontent of Muslim peoples around the world when they see the Qur'an being burned," Maduro said on the "With Maduro and More" program aired by the Al Mayadeen broadcaster, adding that those who turn a blind eye to the burning of sacred books in Europe are "indirectly involved" because of "their silence."

Maduro also criticized the media for not covering the issue, adding that he "strongly condemns" hate crimes against Muslims and the activities of "extreme right-wing and racist circles" destroying copies of the Qur'an in Europe.

"I ask myself as a Christian, what we Christians would feel if someone should burn the Bible in another country? ...We would feel great sadness and it would be a great insult if someone were to do this," the president added.

Several Qur'an-burning demonstrations have taken place in Denmark and Sweden in recent months. Most Muslim countries have condemned the demonstrations, and some have summoned the Swedish and Danish ambassadors to issue letters of protest.

Earlier this week, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom pledged to pay special attention to relations with Muslim countries, and the Danish police temporarily toughening controls at the country's borders for security reasons following recent Qur'an-burning demonstrations.

Source: en.mehrnews.com

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A rabbinical conference in Muslim Azerbaijan

Aug 7, 2023

It was recently reported that hundreds of European rabbis will be attending the Conference of European Rabbis this fall, which is scheduled to take place in Baku between November 12 and November 15 at the invitation of Azerbaijan’s President IlhamAliyev. According to the reports in the media, about 500 rabbis are expected to attend the event and they will meet with local representatives of the Mountain Jewish, Georgian and Ashkenazi communities, in addition to visiting Azerbaijani synagogues.

Azerbaijan has seven synagogues: three in Baku, two in Quba and two in Oghuz, with a Jewish communal center also existing in Ganja.

The fact that Azerbaijan is hosting this event is another sign of the flourishing friendship between Israel, world Jewry and Azerbaijan. Today, Baku supplies Israel with almost half of its energy needs and 70 percent of Azerbaijan’s arms are said to be produced by Israel. However, the friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel is not just strategic. It is not just about an exchange of arms for energy security. It is about a strong people-to-people bond between both peoples.

The Azerbaijanis are one of the few Muslim nations that waves Israeli flags. It is one of the few Muslim countries where there is no anti-Semitism and Jews can proudly don kippahs and Star of David necklaces, without fear. The Azerbaijani nation prides itself on having a rich multi-culturalism policy, which gives equal respect to all faiths and religions living in Azerbaijan.

When I was in Guba, I witnessed how the Azerbaijanis restored synagogues that the Soviets had abused and transformed one of them into the Mountain Jewish Museum, the only of its kind in the world, documenting the rich history of the Mountain Jewish people in the Caucasus region.

Azerbaijan’s respect for the Jewish people led to the creation of a strong friendship between Israel and Azerbaijan. “Today, we are at the peak of our bilateral relationship, with a strong will to deepen and expand this friendship and cooperation,” ElchinAMirbayov, representative of the President of Azerbaijan for special assignments,” told JNS in an interview. “It is one of the rare cases in which we don’t see any clouds. What you see is the tip of the iceberg. It’s multi-fold, vibrant and constantly expanding.”

In recent days, Rabbi ZamirIsayev reported, “The only kosher restaurant in Azerbaijan "Rimon" was officially launched! Address: UzeyirHajibeyli 74.” This comes after the number of flights by Azerbaijan Airlines between Baku and Tel Aviv was raised from five to seven. As Israelis go out on holiday, many Israelis are expected to go to Baku this summer, and efforts have been made to make it easier for Israelis to travel to Azerbaijan.

Historically, Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence and the two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1993. Israel was one of the countries who supported Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War, and the Azerbaijanis appreciate this.

This led to Azerbaijan opening up an embassy in Tel Aviv earlier this year, after opening up both a Tourism and Trade Office in the country previously in the wake of the Second Karabakh War. For the Azerbaijanis, this was a brave stance, given that they border Iran and Iran constantly threatens them over their friendship with Israel. However, the Azerbaijanis have chosen to remain staunch friends and allies of Israel in defiance of Tehran.

Aside from that, “Azerbaijan is a place with a special memory for the Jewish people, and is home to one of the most unique Jewish communities in the world,” said Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis who met with President of Azerbaijan IlhamAliyev earlier this year. He was referencing the Mountain Jewish community, which has been living in Azerbaijan since the Babylonian exile.

And the 500 European rabbis who will be attending the conference in Baku will also visit Quba, the ancestral home of the Mountain Jews, which is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen.

Let this conference be the beginning of even more fruitful cooperation.

Ayoob Kara served as Israel’s communication minister under Netanyahu.

Source: israelnationalnews.com

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Iran building collapse death toll rises to four: media

August 07, 2023

TEHRAN: Four Iranians including two police officers have been killed and at least 11 other people injured when several buildings collapsed in the capital Tehran, local media reported Monday.

The policemen were securing the planned demolition on Sunday of “unauthorized buildings” in the city’s southwest, ISNA news agency said that day, reporting at least three deaths in the incident.

Tasnim news agency on Monday said “four people including two policemen and two civilians died following the collapse of unauthorized buildings in the southwest of Tehran.”

Rescue operations were underway to find others who may be trapped under the rubble, ISNA and Tasnim reported.

According to ISNA, authorities had begun the demolition of one building when five others collapsed.

The report quoted a police statement saying the buildings which collapsed did not comply “with construction safety measures.”

A Tehran city official said on Saturday that authorities had demolished more than 46,000 unauthorized buildings over the past two years, according to municipality newspaper Hamshahri.

In May 2022, a building collapse in Iran’s southwest killed 43 people, in one the country’s deadliest such incidents.

The collapse of the 10-story Metropol building, which had been under construction in the city of Abadan in Khuzestan province, sparked protests across the country decrying corruption and incompetent authorities.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran opens registration for candidates in next year’s parliament election, the first since protests

August 07, 2023

DUBAI: Iran on Monday began registering candidates for parliamentary elections in March, which will be the first since nationwide protests rocked the country last year.

Iran has held regular presidential and parliamentary elections since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But a clerical body vets candidates — disqualifying any seen as disloyal to the Islamic Republic — and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say on all major policies.

Iran saw months of nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was being held by the morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. The protests escalated into calls for the overthrow of the ruling clerics, marking one of the biggest challenges to their four-decade rule.

The protests largely died down after authorities launched a fierce crackdown in which more than 500 protesters were killed and nearly 20,000 were detained. Last month, the morality police returned to the streets in a renewed campaign to force women to wear the mandatory headscarf, known as the hijab.

Candidates for the 290-seat parliament have a week to pre-register online, the first step in a monthslong process. But each will eventually have to be approved by the Guardian Council, a 12-member clerical body, half of whom are directly appointed by the supreme leader.

Over 7,000 candidates were disqualified ahead of the last elections in 2020 — about half of those who had tried to run. The turnout for that election was the lowest since 1979, with just over 42 percent of eligible voters casting ballots.

Iran has been mired in a severe economic crisis since then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a nuclear deal with world powers and restored crushing sanctions. The currency’s value has plummeted, erasing many Iranians’ life savings and driving up prices. With so many struggling to meet basic needs, analysts say there is little energy left over for protests or politics.

Iran’s government, which had abided by the 2015 nuclear deal before the US withdrew, is now galloping ahead with its nuclear program. It is openly exceeding the deal’s limits on uranium enrichment and stockpiling, and it is building a new nuclear facility so far underground as to likely be impervious to US weapons.

Source: arabnews.com

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US condemns Israeli settlers’ killing of Palestinian as terrorism

August 07, 2023

JEDDAH/WASHINGTON: The US State Department has condemned as terrorism the killing of a Palestinian by suspected Jewish settlers, in sharpened language that appeared to reflect Washington's frustration with surging violence in the occupied West Bank under Israel’s hard-right government.

“We strongly condemn yesterday’s terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers that killed a 19-year old Palestinian,” the State Department said in a statement, urging “full accountability and justice.”

Israeli police detained two settlers in Friday’s incident near Burqa village were part of a group that threw rocks, torched cars and, when confronted by villagers, shot a 19-year-old dead and wounded several others.

Initial findings by Israel’s military cast the incident as a confrontation that escalated, with casualties on both sides.

The State Department statement on Burqa was issued back-to-back with a statement condemning as terrorism a Palestinian gun attack that killed a security officer in Tel Aviv.

Amid increased attacks on their communities by people armed with guns, rocks or firebombs, settlers have repeatedly rampaged in West Bank villages, causing extensive property damage.

Among their victims have been Palestinians with US dual citizenship.

The US reaction came as Israeli forces on Sunday killed three Palestinians in the West Bank.

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad vowed to respond to the latest deaths.

“Our Palestinian people and their courageous resistance will not let the occupation’s aggression pass without a price,” said Hamas in a separate statement.

Democrats set visit

Amid the worsening violence, two dozen Democrats of the US House of Representatives will visit Israel and the occupied West Bank this week to discuss prospects for a two-state solution and Israel’s judicial reforms, among other issues.

Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Steny Hoyer will lead a group of 24 House Democrats, who will also discuss extremism and Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Jeffries’ office said in a statement on Sunday.

Democratic President Joe Biden has supported a two-state solution to the Israeli conflict with Palestinians.

Democrats are in the minority in the House and hold the majority in the US Senate.

“While in Israel and the West Bank, the Members will hold high-level meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, meet with various activists and stakeholders and spend meaningful time in areas important to the security of the region,” the statement said.

The West Bank is among areas where Palestinians seek statehood. US-mediated negotiations with Israel to that end stalled almost a decade ago, boosting hard-liners on both sides.

The visit by the US Democratic delegation comes amid worsening violence in the West Bank since last year, with more Israeli raids and Palestinian street attacks on Israelis.

The United States recently expressed frustration with the surging violence under Israel’s hard-right government.

Israeli security forces shot dead three Palestinian militants in the West Bank on Sunday, Israeli police said, drawing threats of revenge by Palestinian militant factions.

Jeffries’ office said the Democratic delegation will also focus attention on the ongoing judicial reform debate in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hard-right coalition have undertaken a judicial overhaul that will potentially curtail the Supreme Court’s powers, triggering nationwide protests and international criticism.

Proponents say the step will restore balance to the branches of government, while those against say it removes checks on government powers.

Source: arabnews.com

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Israeli strikes near Damascus kill six: monitor

August 07, 2023

Beirut: Four Syrian soldiers and two Iran-backed fighters were killed Monday in pre-dawn Israeli strikes near Damascus, a war monitor said, in the latest deadly Israeli air raid to hit war-torn Syria’s capital.

The air strikes targeted Syrian regime forces, and military positions and weapons depots used by armed groups supported by Tehran, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, neighboring Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory, told AFP that “four Syrian soldiers including one officer, as well as two Iran-backed fighters were killed in air strikes on Tehran-supported groups’ positions and warehouses for ammunition and weapons.”

Two regime forces and five foreign fighters were wounded in the strikes, he added, saying four of them were in critical condition.

The Israeli strikes hit areas near Damascus International Airport, Dimas Airport and Kisweh, all close to the capital, destroying weapons and ammunition depots belonging to Iran-backed groups, said the Britain-based monitor which relies on a wide network inside Syria.

Earlier Monday, state media said four Syrian soldiers were killed and four others wounded in the strikes, citing a military source.

“At 2:20 am (2320 GMT Sunday), the Israeli enemy carried out an air attack from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting areas in the vicinity of Damascus,” official news agency SANA reported.

The raid killed “four soldiers and wounded four others,” it said, reporting unspecified material damage and adding that Syrian air defenses intercepted some Israeli missiles.

An AFP correspondent in the capital reported hearing the sound of explosions.

Israel rarely comments on strikes it carries out on Syria, but it has repeatedly said it would not allow its archfoe Iran, which supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, to expand its footprint there.

With Iranian as well as Syrian support, Assad’s government has clawed back much of the territory it had lost to rebels early in the conflict which broke out in 2011 and has pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.

Asked about Monday’s strikes, an Israeli army spokesperson told AFP in a statement: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media.”

On July 19, Israeli air strikes near Damascus killed three pro-government fighters and wounded four others, the Syrian Observatory said at the time.

SANA had reported two soldiers were wounded in those strikes. It quoted a military source as saying the bombing targeted “certain positions in the vicinity of Damascus.”

Syria’s foreign ministry had condemned that attack “in the strongest terms.”

In a statement carried by SANA, it called on the United Nations and the Security Council to “take immediate action” to oblige Israel “to desist from these criminal policies.”

Early last month, state media said Israel had carried out air strikes near the government-held city of Homs.

The Israeli army later said it struck an anti-aircraft battery after rocket fire.

On June 14, Israel carried out air strikes near Damascus wounding a soldier, according to SANA.

Those strikes came after others which in late May hit the Damascus region, with the Observatory reporting five wounded in attacks on air defense sites that host fighters from Lebanon’s powerful pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah.

Previous Israeli strikes have put both Damascus and Aleppo airports out of service.

And in late March and early April, Israel stepped up its strikes on Syria with four raids on government-held areas in less than a week, targeting positions of Syrian government forces and pro-Iran groups.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab World

Reviving heritage: Noura Al-Jabr’s mission to preserve Arab identity through equestrian sports

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi horse rider Noura Al-Jabr embarked on her equestrian journey at the age of just 9. She has honed her skills over the years in various disciplines such as archery, tent pegging, fencing, and other heritage pursuits deeply rooted in the Arabian Peninsula.

Al-Jabr’s equestrian journey began when her mother recognized her passion for horses and horse riding. She enrolled Al-Jabr in special centers at a young age and, from there, she learned the art of taming and caring for horses, eventually refining her skills to master archery, tent pegging, and fencing while on horseback.

Al-Jabr’s dedication and hard work paid off as she actively participated in training programs supported by the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation. These were aimed at producing skilled Saudi horse trainers.

Al-Jabr’s exceptional journey led to her becoming the first certified mounted archery trainer in the Kingdom. She also obtained certification as a tent-pegging trainer.

She now organizes training sessions in which she imparts her expertise to horsemen and horsewomen, teaching them sports like archery and tent pegging while riding their horses. These sessions have gained significant popularity, particularly among women.

Thanks to her unwavering passion and self-confidence, Al-Jabr has ventured beyond the borders of the Kingdom to compete in these demanding sports.

She has showcased her skills on the international stage, notably at the championship in Petra in Jordan where she proudly represented Saudi Arabia as the first female horsewoman in tent pegging. Her exceptional performance earned her high rankings.

Al-Jabr has also captivated audiences with her live shows locally, in which she has demonstrated her range of equestrian arts and skills.

Her remarkable displays have been seen at prestigious events such as the International Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses (Kahila) in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, the Safari Festival in Abqaiq, and the Raml&Smr Festival in Alkhobar, among others.

Al-Jabr, speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, said: “I, along with my equestrian associates, are working hard to revive this ancient heritage and consolidate the Arab identity.

“I love to show my skills in equestrian sports and archery. I feel pride and a sense of belonging to my land and my Arab identity, as these sports are a source of honor, pride and authenticity.

“I seek to develop myself further in the equestrian field, and I am always keen to appear in the traditional costume that suits the beauty of Arab horses, the environment of the Arabian Peninsula and its authentic history.”

Source: arabnews.com

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“Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years Of Wonder” Is Returning To Riyadh On Aug. 24

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: “Disney on Ice Presents 100 Years of Wonder” is returning to Riyadh on Aug. 24 and will be held in the Boulevard Riyadh City area as part of the Riyadh Calendar events.

Boulevard Riyadh City is the largest entertainment center in the capital, featuring everything from luxury shops to an array of local and international dining options.

The show, which will run until Sept. 20, features stunning performances on an ice-skating rink that will bring Disney stories to life.

Beloved characters from Disney’s “Moana,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Tangled,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Cinderella,” and “Sleeping Beauty” will make appearances in the show.

Stories from seven Disney princesses will also be explored, in addition to Disney’s “Frozen” and Disney/Pixar’s “Coco.”

For more information and to buy tickets, visit enjoy.sa.

Earlier this year, the General Entertainment Authority reported that about 15 million visitors from around the world have now attended Riyadh Calendar events, captivated by the wide variety of international and local entertainment on offer, GEA Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh said.

The Riyadh Calendar boasts a vast collection of festivals, exhibitions and activities that give visitors the chance to enjoy the cultures and customs of many different nations.

The events have also attracted foreign investment, which has enhanced the entertainment sector in the Kingdom, and provided a significant economic boost to local communities by creating jobs.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi ministry scheme gives graduates gateway to career in human resources

August 06, 2023

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced the opening of registration for the Jadeer program, its on-the-job training initiative for new graduates.

The 12-month scheme is designed to equip candidates with the skills they need for a career at the ministry. It covers a range of areas, including management, business, human resources, finance and legal.

Outstanding recent graduates can apply for the program either through the ministry’s website or via the Masar recruitment platform.

The registration process opened on Sunday and runs until Aug 14.

The Jadeer program is one of several initiatives launched by the ministry to strengthen national capabilities, enhance the skills of Saudi youth and promote investment in human resources.

Its goal is to achieve economic sustainability and social development by offering comprehensive training that ultimately leads to employment opportunities.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia expands visitor e-visa program to 8 countries

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced the expansion of its visitor e-visa scheme to the nationals of eight countries on Sunday.

The countries include Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Tourism said.

Nationals of these countries can apply for a visitor visa electronically or upon arrival at one of the Kingdom’s ports.

They can use the visa to tour the Kingdom, perform Umrah, visit family and friends, and for business purposes.

“By expanding the e-visas to 8 new countries, Saudi Arabia takes another step forward in opening its doors to the world and offering an easier and simplified travel experience for all visitors to the Kingdom,” the Kingdom’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2350636/saudi-arabia

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Ukrainian ambassador, US official thank Saudi Arabia for hosting peace talks

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: The Ukrainian ambassador to Saudi Arabia has thanked the Kingdom for hosting talks aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war in his country.

In a statement given to Arab News, PetrenkoAnatolii said the talks in Jeddah, which started on Saturday, had been “constructive.”

“First of all, I’d like to thank Saudi Arabia for being so committed and hospitable to Ukraine in moving forward our peace formula plan,” he said.

“With Saudi support, we succeeded in bringing together national security advisers from 42 countries.”

Ukraine proposed its widely expected 10-point peace formula at the discussions, which a source from the Ukrainian delegation told Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath were “supported by several countries.”

President Volodomyr Zelensky said he wanted a global summit to take place based on the formula later this year.

“The last two days have proven to be constructive. A broad vision is in place and we collectively make gradual progress in preparation of the (upcoming) global summit, which is considered to be the focal point to start implementing the peace formula,” Anatolii said.

He added that the key objectives following the two-day talks remained to “stop military aggression against Ukraine, to restore territorial integrity and sovereignty, to kick-start the economic recovery of Ukraine and, of course, to bring confidence into the UN charter and international law.”

Zelensky’s head of staff AndriyYermak said in a statement: “We had very productive consultations on the key principles on which a just and lasting peace should be built.”

Yermak said different viewpoints emerged during the talks in Saudi Arabia, calling them “an extremely honest, open conversation.”

He said all the countries present had demonstrated a commitment to the principles of international law and respect for the sovereignty and inviolability of the territorial integrity of states.

Russia did not attend the discussions but the Kremlin said it would “closely monitor” the proceedings.

A US official on Sunday expressed Washington’s appreciation to Riyadh for hosting the talks, describing them as “constructive,” according to an Al-Arabiya report.

“It was a good and constructive set of conversations with a range of countries who came together to exchange views and build common ground in support of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, discuss how to end the war in Ukraine and address the practical consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine and around the world,” the person said.

“We were glad that more than 40 countries attended the talks and benefited from the chance to hear directly from Ukraine about the war and to exchange views.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2350616/saudi-arabia

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Riyadh’s Horse Equestrian Club offers certified training programs

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: Experience the ultimate equestrian adventure at Caballo Equestrian Club in Riyadh, with personalized horse riding lessons and training courses provided by certified instructors.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, the team will help you develop your skills and build a strong bond with magnificent horses.

Open to all ages and genders, the one-on-one training experience provided by both male and female coaches ensures visitors have complete privacy.

Basic training courses start at SR95 ($25) and there is a wide range of horses to choose from, including English and Arabian breeds.

The club is open daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and with the weather cooling, afternoons are now a great time to visit. Weekends tend to be busier so for a more serene and intimate experience, guests are advised to visit on weekdays.

As well as the excellent riding facilities, the center offers a selection of indoor activities, including table tennis and pool tables, as well as areas to sit and relax and watch the horses.

Besides the training courses, the club showcases professional equestrians performing shows with stunning Arabian horses.

Whichever day you choose to visit, booking is always necessary. For more details, visit @caballo.217 on Instagram.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi crown prince receives written message from Morocco king

August 06, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on Sunday.

The message related to the strong and solid relations between Saudi Arabia and Morocco and ways to support and enhance them in various fields.

The message was received on Prince Mohammed’s behalf by Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Issa during a meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.

Al-Issa and Bourita reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields during their meeting. They also exchanged views on issues of common concern.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2350576/saudi-arabia

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Africa

Adeleke Fair to Us, Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Chair Replies JOMAF

Chairman of the Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Maruf Ishola, has dismissed as unfounded, claims that Governor AdemolaAdeleke, was lopsided in his appointments, saying the governor has been fair to Muslims in the state.

Responding to a recent statement by the Osun State Chapter of Joint Muslims Action Forum (JOMAF) accusing Adeleke of bias against Muslims in his choice of appointments, he stressed that the allegation of the Muslim group against the governor was not only untrue but baseless

Ishola, who pointed out that the first three appointments by Adeleke upon coming to office were all Muslims, said the governor had so far demonstrated strong affinity for the interests of Muslims in his government.

“The media report by Muslim group named Osun State Chapter of Joint Muslims Action Forum (JOMAF) on the allegations of lopsided appointments by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson NurudeenAdeleke, is baseless and untrue. It is an act to distract the working governor from performing his electioneering campaign to the good people of Osun State.

“It is on record that as soon as Senator Ademola Jackson NurudeenAdeleke assumed Office on 27th November, 2022, he announced the first appointments of three Muslims into the position of authority.

“The appointments of AlhajiTeslimAdekunleIgbalaye as the Secretary to the State Government, AlhajiKazeemAkinleye as the Chief of Staff to the Governor and MallamOlawale Rasheed as the Spokesperson to the Governor. This is a clear demonstration that Senator Ademola Jackson NurudeenAdeleke has unalloyed love and support for the Muslim in Osun State.

“Senator Ademola Jackson NurudeenAdeleke’s appointment of cabinet members and Special Advisers is fair and is taking care of Muslims in his appointment and we still believe and hope that subsequent appointments will continue to favour the Muslims.”

He however, called on JOMAF to “continue supporting the Senator Ademola Jackson NurudeenAdeleke-led administration in his efforts at developing infrastructure across the state.”

Source: thisdaylive.com

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https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/08/07/adeleke-fair-to-us-osun-muslim-pilgrims-welfare-chair-replies-jomaf

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Zulum grants N80m to Guwori Islamic Academy

August 6, 2023

Gov. BanaganaZulum of Borno has approved N80m grant to Guwori Islamic Academy in Jere Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Zulum, who announced this on Sunday at the graduation ceremony of the school, said the gesture would enhance education opportunities to vulnerable children.

He said the money would be disbursed in instalment to support provision of educational facilities, improve teachers’ welfare as well as provide enabling teaching and learning environment in the school.

“I am highly impressed with what I have seen here today, students’ performance is quite encouraging, as a government we are ready to support our children to receive good education (formal and non formal).

“I, therefore, announced N80 million grant to the school.

“Each year, we will release N20 million to complement payment of teachers’ salaries and other expenses.

“The first checque of N20 million would be issued to the school management tomorrow (Monday),” he said.

Mr Zulum also doled out N4.1 million to 23 graduating students and 12 others, who memorised the Holy Qur’an.

He said that each of the beneficiaries would received N250,000, while 11 others who completed their primary education but could not memorise the Holy Qur’an would get N100,000 each.

The governor charged parents to inculcate good teachings of Islam in their children to enable them to become responsible members of the society.

While reiterating commitment to infrastructure, social and economic development, Mr Zulum said his administration adopted proactive measures to combat crimes, protect lives and property in the state.

Source: dailynigerian.com

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https://dailynigerian.com/zulum-grants-guwori-islamic/

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Islamic World News ( 7 Aug 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

Hindu Mahapanchayat Held Without Permission In Gurugram, Where Mosque Was Attacked And A Deputy Imam Murdered, Calls For Boycott Of Muslims

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